January 24, 2007
As part of National Non Smoking Week, January 22 to 27, 2007, MAKWA Peer Leaders will be hosting movie nights to raise awareness of the deceptive nature of the tobacco industry and to discourage youth from using tobacco products.
Tobacco use is commonly promoted in mainstream movies by on-screen characters shown using the products in everyday and adventure settings. These scenes make smoking seem more acceptable than it is in today's society.
MAKWA will be providing education about these tobacco industry tactics through a series of presentations and smoke-free movie nights featuring films with little or no smoking.
Movie nights are free and will take place from Tuesday, January 23 to Thursday, January 25 from 4:00pm - 8:00pm at the Regional Multicultural Youth Centre located at 511 E. Victoria Avenue in Thunder Bay. They will include a movie, 15 - 20 minute presentations, activities, draws, and/or games delivered by MAKWA's Peer Leaders.
Discouraging smoking among First Nations youth is a priority for MAKWA’s Peer Leaders since the rate of smoking among First Nations is much greater than the rest of the population:
· Sixty-one per cent (61%) of First Nations girls aged 15-17 are regular smokers compared to 15% of girls aged 15-17 across Canada.
· Forty-seven per cent (47%) of First Nations boys are regular smokers. The national average for boys is 13%
“These statistics show an alarming trend among First Nations youth which is why MAKWA is addressing this issue,” said Aileen Malcolm, MAKWA Youth Advisor.
“First Nation smoking rates are about triple the rate for Canadians in general. This is unfortunate since tobacco is considered a sacred plant to the First Nations. We need to discourage its misuse.”
MAKWA is a local Aboriginal Youth Action Alliance with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. This group of Peer Leaders aged 14-19 work at educating their peers about the traditional use of tobacco and the difference between sacred tobacco use and abuse of tobacco industry products.
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For more information contact:
Aileen Malcolm
Thunder Bay District Health Unit
(807) 625-8322