Monday, May 30, 2016
Elgin St Thomas Public Health
World No Tobacco Day Marks 10 Years of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act
Since 2006, the Smoke-Free Ontario Act has been making our province a better place to breathe. Smoking rates have never been lower. More people are trying to quire, more are being protected from second-hand smoke, and children and teens are deciding to never start smoking. Notwithstanding the success of these initiatives, smoking is still the number one cause of preventable illness and death in Ontario. This month marks the 10th anniversary of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act - a good time to remember that policies designed to combat nicotine addiction are not only good for our health, they're good for our wealth too!
On May 31, 2016, World No Tobacco Day, students from Central Elgin Collegiate Institute (CECI), along with community partners, will celebrate by kicking off a Butt Free Beach Campaign in Port Stanley. "We'll be cleaning up Port Stanley's main beach, an initiative the Municipality of Central Elgin proposed in their Blue Flag beach application. Cigarette butts are the most littered item found on beaches and are often the most harmful as they leach harmful chemicals into our soil and waterways", states Health Promoter, Jessica Austin.
The garbage collected on May 31 will be utilized by the students of CECI to create impactful garbage art to visually show how many butts are disposed of on the beach. This summer, Port Stanley beach goers can expect to see the distribution of disposable ashtrays to smokers, water bottles, sunscreen, sunglasses, frisbees and other promotional items to encourage proper disposal of cigarette butts and to obtain their opinion on smoke-free beaches.
Elgin St Thomas Public Health will also launch Success Stories from Former Smokers, as part of their newly designed website that will share the personal journeys of former smokers from St Thomas and Elgin County. Each quit story is unique and can motivate and inspire others who are currently trying to quite. To the the local stores please visit www.elginhealth.on.ca.
Media Contact:
Jessica Austin
Health Promoter
jaustin@elginhealth.on.ca
519-631-9900 ext 1315
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