Minister announces new appointments to Teen Tobacco Team

Gerald Smith, Minister of Health and Community Services, today announced the newest members of the Teen Tobacco Team for Newfoundland and Labrador.

"Tobacco control initiatives are a priority in this province and the Teen Tobacco Team has been instrumental in advising me on issues related to youth smoking," said Minister Smith. "Team members have also been very active within their communities in promoting the stop-smoking message."

This year�s new team members are: Megan Ellis (Bishop�s Falls, Grade 8), Chris Arnold (TooGood Arm, Grade 9), Janelle Gould (Port Saunders, Grade 10), Joshua Walters (Margaree, Grade 8) and Ashley Lawless (Port Hope Simpson, Grade 9). They will work with Melissa Long (Paradise, Grade 11), Ryan Stratton (Goulds, Grade 10), Karyn O�Brien (Dunville, Grade 9), Ryan Cole (Winterton, Grade 11), April Campbell (Happy Valley - Goose Bay, Grade 12) and Desiree Wolfrey (Rigolet, Grade 11), who joined the team last year.

The role of the Teen Tobacco Team is to advise the minister on issues related to youth smoking. Since its implementation in 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 about the negative effects of tobacco. The Teen Tobacco Team also supports the implementation of the "Kick the Nic" program in schools throughout the province. This program, which was developed in British Columbia, and adapted for Newfoundland and Labrador, is a stop-smoking program designed specifically for teens.

"We are making great strides with our Provincial Tobacco Reduction Strategy," said Minister Smith. "Since 2000, smoking rates of those aged 15 - 19 in Newfoundland and Labrador have dropped from 28 per cent to 22 per cent. While this is great news, I look forward to working with the new team as we continue our 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.

Media contact: Diane Keough, Communications, (709) 729-1377.

2002 11 01                                      10:55 a.m.