SASKATCHEWAN STUDENTS CHOOSE ANTI-TOBACCO AD

As part of the ongoing strategy to reduce tobacco use by youth, the province today announced the winning anti-tobacco ad chosen by Saskatchewan students.

More than 6,000 students participated in the View and Vote 4 program offered by the Ministry of Health. View and Vote gives students in Grades six to 12 across the province the opportunity to view and vote on some of the best anti-tobacco television ads from around the world. Participating students rated the ad "Doesn't Kill" as the most effective ad that would keep them from starting to use tobacco or, if they already use tobacco, the ad that made them think about quitting.

MLA Gene Makowsky announced the winning anti-tobacco ad at an event hosted by St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Elementary School in Regina.

"This year's winning ad shows that although sometimes tobacco doesn't kill, it can have a truly devastating effect on people," Makowsky said. "My hope for all young people is that they will choose to stay away from tobacco and live an active, healthy life."

"Our government is committed to reducing tobacco use in the province, particularly among young people," Health Minister Don McMorris said. "Protecting youth and educating them about the harms associated with tobacco remains a priority."

Teachers played an important role in View and Vote by encouraging students to discuss tobacco use in an open and honest manner.

"We were pleased to host the View and Vote event," St. Marguerite Bourgeoys School Principal Jamie Neigum said. "Our students enthusiastically participated in the program and they found it fun and informative. Our school encourages students to make healthy lifestyle choices and we regard View and Vote as a useful classroom tool."

View and Vote is an innovative way of reaching large numbers of young people and educating them about the addictive nature of tobacco and the effects of tobacco use. The program is offered every two years by the Ministry of Health.

The View and Vote program is a component of the provincial tobacco reduction strategy, Building a Healthier Saskatchewan: a strategy to reduce tobacco use. The government has taken several important steps to reduce youth access to tobacco and tobacco related products through legislation, such as prohibiting smoking in vehicles when children under the age of 16 are present and banning all tobacco use on school grounds.

The winning View and Vote ad is currently running online and will appear in movie theatres across Saskatchewan. It is also available on the Ministry of Health website at http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/tobacco-free-schools.

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For more information, contact:

Tyler McMurchy
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: tyler.mcmurchy@gov.sk.ca