News

SIMCOE, ON – From June 24th to June 30th 2009, the youth-led group working out of the Health Unit, Fresh Heir will be assembling a display of environmentally friendly cups in the chain link fence located on Queen Street in Simcoe. The purpose of this event will be to educate the community about the dangers of flavoured tobacco products, with the phrase “Flavour Gone” that will be displayed on the fences.
“Many people may think that flavoured tobacco products are less addictive than other tobacco products such as cigarettes, when in fact they are just as addictive,” explains Peer Leader Lucas Lubin, a member of Fresh Heir. The tobacco industry markets flavoured tobacco products towards youth by using bright coloured packaging, which has a similar appearance to makeup and candy. These deceptive marketing tactics make a deadly product like tobacco more appealing to youth. “Flavoured tobacco comes in many forms, such as chew and spit, snus, cigarillos and is often targeted towards youth,” says Peer Leader Austin Munday. To help support this ban recently, Health Minister Aglukkaq has introduced a new amendment to the Tobacco Act prohibiting the addition of flavouring and additives that appeal to children and youth (excluding menthol) in little cigars, cigarettes and blunt wraps, along with prohibiting the representation of these flavouring additives on the package.

All members of the public are encouraged to visit www.cwyc.ca for additional information on the campaign against flavoured tobacco. Fresh Heir is always looking for volunteers to help in their efforts to Clear Up Big Tobacco for this Generation and the Next. Those interested in getting involved, or those who need more information about the Flavour Gone Event, can contact the group at [email protected] or call the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit at 519-426-6170 Ext. 3276.

Media contact:
Ashley Everets, Youth Advisor,
Smoke-Free Ontario Program,
Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit,
519-426-6170 Ext. 3276 or 905-318-6623 Ext. 3276,
[email protected]