Canada. Health Minister provides funding to anti-tobacco project

Ottawa - Leona Aglukkaq, Canada's Minister of Health, will allocate just over $230,000 dollars in funding to the Student's Commission of Canada to develop initiatives that will engage youth in tobacco use reduction.

"The Government of Canada remains committed to protecting all Canadians, including youth, from the proven health hazards associated with tobacco use," said Minister Aglukkaq. "Today's funding will help ensure that we are engaging youth in our tobacco use reduction initiatives."

Funding from today's announcement will go towards a project entitled "Youth Action Committee and Young Adult Advisory Committee." The goal of this project is to engage youth in tobacco use reduction initiatives. In addition to coordinating the Youth Action Committee, this project will establish a new national young adult action committee. This will result in the development of a well-informed network of youth and young adults who can provide ongoing advice and feedback to Health Canada on relevant policies and programs.

"Raising awareness about the dangers of tobacco use will better equip youth to make informed decisions about their futures and their health," said Mr. Wallace. "I look forward to seeing the benefits of this project in the months and years ahead."

"It is very important to involve youth in decision-making. Getting youth involved directly with their governments encourages young people to become active citizens and it also helps create programs that are effective and relevant," says Stoney McCart, Executive Director of The Students Commission of Canada. "This project clearly demonstrates the Government of Canada's commitment to keeping young people engaged."

This year, National Non-Smoking Week is taking place from January 17-23. It is a week devoted to preventing people from beginning to smoke and helping smokers quit. The theme this year "Quitting is contagious; pass it on!" recognizes that it is easier to quit smoking with the support of others.

Tobacco use is the single biggest cause of preventable disease, disability and premature death in Canada. It has negative effects on nearly every organ of the body. Every year, at least 37,000 Canadians die from the effects of smoking, while many others are diagnosed with related illnesses such as heart disease, lung cancer and other respiratory diseases.

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