SASKATCHEWAN STUDENTS CHOOSE ANTI-TOBACCO MESSAGE FOR NATIONAL NON-SMOKING WEEK

Saskatchewan's Minister of Health is pleased to announce the winning anti-tobacco advertisement selected by Saskatchewan students participating in View and Vote. The ad will appear on Saskatchewan television stations during National Non-Smoking Week, beginning next week.

View and Vote is an anti-tobacco campaign for Saskatchewan students grades six to 12. The campaign promotes discussion among young people about their attitudes toward and the consequences of tobacco use.

Starting in October 2007, students from schools throughout the province watched a number of the world's best television commercials demonstrating the effects of tobacco use. Students voted for the ad that they thought would most likely prevent them from trying tobacco products or, if they are smoking, inspire them to quit.

"View and Vote helps our province's young people discuss the myths around smoking and consider the very real consequences of tobacco use," Health Minister Don McMorris said. "Through this discussion, students are providing each other with the peer support they need to stay tobacco-free."

More than 13,000 Saskatchewan students participated in the View and Vote campaign. The winning commercial, "Relaxed as Can Be", will air on Saskatchewan television stations starting Monday.

The Ministry of Health thanks the students and teachers of the 227 Saskatchewan schools that participated. View and Vote is a biannual youth initiative and is next scheduled for the 2009-2010 school year.

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For more information, contact:

Andrew Dinsmore
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: adinsmore@health.gov.sk.ca