GRANTS AWARDED FOR TOBACCO REDUCTION PROJECTS IN SASKATCHEWAN

The Government of Saskatchewan is following through on its commitment to support community-led tobacco reduction activities, by awarding three grants totalling more than $700,000. These grants are intended to further the work of the provincial tobacco reduction strategy.

The following projects have been selected for funding:

• The Green Light Program: Building on Success and Celebrating Smoke-Free Homes in Métis Communities - a partnership between Métis Nation Saskatchewan, the University of Saskatchewan and the Saskatoon Health Region. ($248,735);
• Northern Saskatchewan Tobacco Reduction Initiative: Journey to reduce tobacco usage rates among youth, pregnant women and young families in Northern Saskatchewan - a partnership between the three northern regional health authorities. ($250,000); and
• Battlefords Family Health Centre: Change Can Happen with a Smoke Free Community! - a partnership between Battleford Tribal Council Indian Health Services and Prairie North Regional Health Authority. ($203,791).

"The foundation of Building a Healthier Saskatchewan: A Strategy to Reduce Tobacco Use is cohesive, co-ordinated, community-led action," Health Minister Don McMorris said. "These projects will contribute to the implementation of promising practices as well as sharing lessons learned, expertise and resources both at a local and provincial level. They will also bring cessation and healthy lifestyle supports closer to home for those who most need them."

Representatives from the Ministries of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport, First Nations and Métis Relations and Ministry of Health participated in the selection of the projects.

Alignment with the provincial tobacco reduction strategy, engagement of groups with higher tobacco use and community involvement in the implementation of the project were some of the criteria used for evaluation.

The selected projects will contribute to the implementation of promising practices and lessons learned and will incorporate local expertise in the implementation. Additionally, each of the three projects:

• will increase the capacity for community members to address tobacco misuse; 
• provide a sustainability plan that will support the continuation of their work into the future and provide opportunities for others to learn from them; and
• support the goal of the provincial Tobacco Strategy to work toward sustainable community action.

For more information on tobacco reduction in Saskatchewan and supports and programs to help people quit smoking visit the Ministry of Health website at http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/smoking-and-your-health.

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For more information, contact:

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

Janice W. Kennedy
Battleford Tribal Council Indian Health Service
Phone: 306-937-6704

Linda Mikolayenko
Mamawetan Churchill River
Phone: 306-425-4812

Tara Turner
Metis Nation-Saskatchewan
Phone: 306-343-8391