May 22, 2008 — Today, Peer Leaders from YETI (Youth Engaged in Tobacco-free Initiatives) and MAKWA (Making Aboriginal Kids Walk Away from Tobacco Abuse) are racing to win public support to make parks and beaches free of tobacco industry products.
The advocacy groups kicked off a public awareness campaign at the NWOSSAA (Northwestern Ontario Secondary School Athletic Association) track meet today by holding a race between their YAA (Youth Action Alliance) mascots: YETI’s Abominable Snowman, MAKWA’s Bear, and a 6-foot-tall cigarette. After YETI and MAKWA won by a landslide, youth representatives from the groups made a speech about the importance of restricting the use of tobacco industry products in parks and beaches in Thunder Bay. It is the goal of the YAA’s to educate the public about the issue of tobacco industry product litter, as well the importance of the “de-normalization” of using tobacco industry products, especially where children are involved.
“The more children see their role models like parents and relatives using tobacco industry products, the more likely they are to take it up themselves as they get older,” said Peer Leader, Kim Crawford. “By restricting their use in parks and beaches now, we will reduce their chances of becoming addicted when they grow up, as well as creating a cleaner environment for them. Everyone deserves a clean and healthy place to play”
Globally, tobacco industry product garbage such as cigarette butts, is consistently the number one source of litter. 4.5 trillion butts are thrown on the ground each year. In Canada alone, 5 million smokers smoke 52 billion cigarettes each year. Cigarette butts have been found in the stomachs of wildlife and there is enough nicotine in just a few cigarette butts to seriously harm or even kill a small child. Plastic spit tobacco containers and cellulose acetate cigarette filters are nearly impossible to break down, and the litter on the ground also sends the message to young children that “everyone is doing it”.
By educating the public about the effects of tobacco industry products, YETI and MAKWA hope to garner public support for their campaign. Residents can show their support by signing postcards which will be available at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, Ecosuperior, and at various summer festivals that YAA groups will be attending throughout the city. The end result, in partnership with other organizations such as Tobacco-Free Thunder Bay, is to present the postcards this fall during a deputation to city council requesting an amendment to the city’s smoking in public places bylaw. They also hope to reduce the amount of litter overall in the community.
“Public support is key to move forward with the campaign,” said Crawford. “By taking these small steps now it will make an enormous impact on the future of our community. If we can all get behind this it will improve not only the health and safety of our children, pets and environment, but also the cleanliness and appearance of our city. ”
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