May 29, 2007 (THUNDER BAY) – Use of tobacco industry products around the globe is at epidemic proportions and Youth Engaged in Tobacco-Free Initiatives (YETI) is going to attack – with chalk. To celebrate World No Tobacco Day on May 31st, YETI will be chalking messages around Boulevard Lake.

Media are invited 4:15 pm on Wednesday, May 30th for photos and interviews to meet the crusaders at the Playground (weather permitting).

“Seventy per cent of deaths related to tobacco industry products occur in developing countries” stated Dan DePeuter, Youth Advisor for Tobacco Control at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. “The youth who participate in the YETI program would like Canada to lead the rest of the world by example by taking a strong stance on the issue.”

“I would love to see the whole city come for a walk around Boulevard Lake to read our facts. I want be people to be shocked to learn that worldwide over 15 billion cigarettes are smoked per day,” stated YETI Peer Leader, Jessica Bouchard. “We also want them to know that entire countries can change. Fifty years ago, over seventy per cent of Australian men smoked, but now that is down to under twenty per cent.”

In addition to the Chalk Attack, YETI will be asking the public to sign postcards to mail to federal politicians demanding government action on recommendations made by the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. These include: raising taxes on all tobacco products, banning all forms of tobacco advertising, and suing the tobacco industry to recover health care costs.

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For more information about:
• Youth Engaged in Tobacco-free Initiatives to www.smoke-fx.com/local/thunderbay/
• Framework Convention on Tobacco Control go to www.fctc.org
In the event of inclement weather, please call for a rain date.

For more information,
Laura J. Craig
Coordinator, Marketing and Communications   
Phone: (807) 625-8800

Dan DePeuter
Youth Advisor for Tobacco Control
(807) 625-5991