NEW ANTI-TOBACCO PROGRAM LAUNCHED IN SASKATCHEWAN SCHOOLS

The Minister of Healthy Living Services today officially launched a new anti-tobacco initiative designed to reach students in Grades 6 to 12.

Saskatchewan View and Vote will give students across the province the opportunity to view a collection of anti-tobacco ads from across North America and vote on the ads they think would be most effective at preventing them from starting to use tobacco – or inspiring them to quit.

"Our number one goal is to protect the health of young people in Saskatchewan," Healthy Living Services Minister Graham Addley said. "Encouraging our youth to be tobacco-free is an important step toward healthy, productive lives."

The television advertisements and teaching materials have been sent to approximately 800 schools reaching potentially 97,000 students.

"I want to thank the teachers and schools for their support of this program and their enthusiastic early participation," Addley said. "I hope the thoughtful discussion provoked by these anti-tobacco ads will give young people the knowledge and courage to make healthy choices to exclude tobacco from their lives."

The winning ad, as selected by students, will be announced by the Healthy Living Services Minister and broadcast on local television in early 2007.

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For More Information, Contact:

Joan Petrie Health Regina Phone: (306) 787-4083 Email: jpetrie@health.gov.sk.ca