Teen Tobacco Team releases annual report

More than 400 schools and community organizations throughout Newfoundland and Labrador will receive copies of the province�s first Teen Tobacco Team (TTT) annual report this week - just in time for National Non-Smoking Week (January 14-20).

Where There�s Smoke. . .chronicles the activities of the TTT since its inception in November 1999 and provides youth-oriented information on smoking and its effects. It also includes several recommendations on how government can address tobacco issues among youth.

"The report offers solid advice from teens on how to prevent young people from smoking - and how to help the smokers quit," said Julie Bettney, acting Minister of Health and Community Services. "We take these recommendations very seriously. Getting young people�s perspective on this problem is a fundamental component of our overall Provincial Tobacco Reduction Strategy - and we don�t intend to lose sight of that."

Among the report�s recommendations are:

• to place more emphasis on the test shopper program, which identifies retailers who continue to sell cigarettes to underage people;

• to improve anti-tobacco signage in stores;

• to continue to support the multi-media "Smoking Sucks" advertising campaign;

• to involve schools in more anti-smoking programming; and

• to involve more young people in the fight against tobacco.

The report also notes TTT members� involvement in the highly visible "Smoking Sucks" advertising campaign (administered by ACT - the Alliance for the Control of Tobacco); the "Kick the Nic" stop-smoking campaign; the Ticker Tom Program, administered through Newfoundland and Labrador Heart Health; and other events and activities designed to prevent young people from developing the smoking habit.

Contributing to this year�s report were Teen Tobacco Team members Christopher Sheppard (Postville); Rachel Luther (St. Lewis); Shirley Hill (Sheshatshiu); Craig Loder (Sop�s Arm); Tara Young (Springdale); Victoria Burry (Clarenville); Jennifer Graham (Burin); Jeremy Babstock (St. John�s); Kathy Reddy (St. John�s); Josh Furneaux (St. John�s) and Lisa Saunders (Bay Bulls), provincial representative on the federal Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) on Tobacco.

"This dynamic group of young people from all over Newfoundland and Labrador has worked diligently over the past year to provide their peers with factual, no-nonsense information about smoking," Minister Bettney said. "Their work has helped our youth make informed decisions about a habit which has devastating health consequences, not just for the individuals themselves, but for their friends, families and society at large."

"Evidence indicates most smokers pick up this habit in their youth and find themselves addicted before they know it," she added. "Initiatives such as the Teen Tobacco Team are therefore crucial, as they give young people the straight facts about tobacco before they ever pick up that first cigarette."

Minister Bettney also announced four additions to the Teen Tobacco Team for the upcoming year. Greg Spencer (Kippens), Brandi Benoit (Corner Brook), Brad Rowsell (St. Anthony) and Scott Sacrey (Grand Falls-Windsor) will join six current members who are continuing their work with the team this year.

"I look forward to seeing how this year�s Teen Tobacco Team builds on the momentum created by the initial group," the minister said.

The Teen Tobacco Team was formed as part of a multi-faceted Provincial Tobacco Reduction Strategy, which addresses smoking issues on four fronts - prevention, protection, cessation and denormalization. The strategy includes recently-announced legislative amendments designed to reduce smoking in public places, limit young people�s access to tobacco products, and the development of new enforcement and community support programs to fight tobacco use in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Copies of the report are available by contacting Bernie Squires, Youth Tobacco Coordinator, (709) 729-1374.

Media contact: Heather May, (709) 729-2788.

2001 01 15                                        10:15 a.m.