September 4, 2010 - Today, Thunder Bay is one more stop along the way of Errol Povah’s cross-Canada Journey for a Tobacco Free World.  Since starting from Victoria, British Columbia, on May 31, 2010 - World No Tobacco Day -  Povah has been running or walking the distance of a marathon 5 days a week to raise awareness and money in the fight against the tobacco industry. 

Povah, president of Airspace Action on Smoking and Health, Canada’s largest all-volunteer anti-tobacco organization, says the Journey is a first-of-its-kind — anywhere, ever — anti-tobacco, cross-Canada shore-to-shore run, walk or crawl awareness and fund-raising event.

In recognition of Thunder Bay’s new Smoke-Free outdoor spaces bylaw, Povah was greeted at the Marina Park playground by members of Youth Engaged in Tobacco-Free Initiatives (YETI) to show their support and wish him well for the rest of his journey. They were accompanied by “Big Tobacco,” YETI’s 9-foot-tall tobacco industry executive puppet. Povah was quick to point out that tobacco industry executives are the cause of tobacco addiction and tobacco-related illness.

“One hundred twenty three (123) Canadians die every day as a direct result of using tobacco industry products,”says Povah.

Of the funds raised by the Journey for a Tobacco Free World, 10% will each be donated to the Variety Club (the Children’s Charity) of British Columbia, B.C.’s Children’s Hospital, and Sick Kids Hospital (Toronto). The remaining 70% will be used by Airspace Action on Smoking and Health to continue and accelerate its advocacy work.

Errol will be running to Montreal, Quebec by the end of October and anticipates concluding his journey in New York City by the end of November. These two cities are the home of the head offices of major Canadian and American Tobacco Companies.

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