Minister announces new Teen Tobacco Team

Julie Bettney, Minister of Health and Community Services, today announced the newest members of the Teen Tobacco Team for Newfoundland and Labrador. During her address at the Annual General Meeting of the Alliance for the Control of Tobacco (ACT), Minister Bettney introduced the 11 provincial representatives.

"Government is not only interested in sending out anti-tobacco messages to our youth," said Minister Bettney, "but also in hearing what the youth of our province have to say about tobacco use. Therefore, it is essential to have the Teen Tobacco Team assisting us in the development of tobacco strategies that meet the needs of youth."

This year's team is comprised of four continuing members, who joined the team in January of this year, and seven new members . The 11 members of the Teen Tobacco Team are: Melissa Long (Paradise, Grade 10); Ryan Stratton (Goulds, Grade 9); Ryan Cole (Winterton, Grade 10); Karyn O'Brien (Dunville, Grade 8); Scott Sacrey (Grand Falls-Windsor, Grade11); Chelsea Howard (Baie Verte, Grade 8); Brandi Benoit (Corner Brook, Grade 9); Greg Spencer (Kippens, Grade 12); Brad Rowsell (St. Anthony, Grade 10); April Campbell (Wabush, Grade 11); and, Desiree Wolfrey (Rigolet, Grade 10).

The role of the Teen Tobacco Team is to speak on behalf of all young people in the province and to advise the minister on issues related to youth smoking. Since its implementation in November 1999, the team has been working with the Department of Health and Community Services and the Alliance for the Control of Tobacco (ACT) to increase awareness of the negative effects of tobacco. The Teen Tobacco Team is responsible for introducing the Kick the Nic program in schools throughout the province. This program, which was developed in British Columbia and adapted for Newfoundland, is a stop smoking program designed specifically for teens.

"We are working through the Teen Tobacco Team to identify the best possible approaches to getting the stop smoking message to our youth," said Minister Bettney. "Our youth play an important role in our provincial Tobacco Reduction Strategy and our continuing efforts to reduce smoking in our province." 

Members of the Teen Tobacco Team were chosen with the assistance of the health and community services boards, schools and community groups. The contributions of these groups were invaluable. "The team is a dynamic group of young people, including smokers and non-smokers, and represent all segments of the youth population," said Minister Bettney. "They have committed themselves to addressing tobacco reduction in Newfoundland and Labrador." 

Media contact: Carmel Turpin, Communications, (709) 729-1377

2001 11 23                          3:00 p.m.