London, ON – The Middlesex-London Health Unit’s youth advocacy group, One Life One You, is calling on London and Middlesex County residents to stop by the Covent Garden Market tomorrow afternoon for the Skate to Advocate for Bill 45. Bill 45, also know as the Making Healthier Choices Act, 2014, was introduced in the Ontario legislature in late November and debate on the Bill began on December 3rd. If passed, Bill 45 would limit the sale, promotion and use of e-cigarettes; prohibit the sale of flavoured tobacco products and require menu labelling, including calorie information, on restaurant menus. Additional information is available at www.bill45support.com.

The Skate to Advocate for Bill 45 is intended to gather support from local youth and families through signatures on a petition and participation in a large photograph which will be sent to local Members of Provincial Parliament. The event runs from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and includes outdoor skating on the Rotary Rink, a scavenger hunt inside the Covent Garden Market, family games and activities, as well as performances from local bands, weather permitting.

“The Skate to Advocate event is a great opportunity for people to learn about this new Bill and take action in support of their own health and the health of young people across Ontario,” says Claudia Paguaga, Youth Leader of the One Life One You. “This event is exciting because we are hoping to show our Members of Provincial Parliament that Middlesex-London is ready for change; and we’re hoping to do this by taking a picture of the crowd forming the number forty-five and sending this photo to local MPPs.”

In the fall of 2013, the Middlesex-London Health Unit released a position statement on e-cigarettes. The Health Unit concluded that while there have been no long-term studies on the health benefits or risks of using ecigarettes, a growing body of scientific evidence is raising concerns about the health consequences and safety of the devices, and the negative impact that e-cigarette use has in places where smoking is prohibited, including the social acceptability of smoking.

For more information about Bill 45 and how individuals can show their support, please visit: www.bill45support.com.

Media Contact:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit, 519-663-5317 extension 2469 or 519-617-0570 (cell.)

Spokespeople:
Tanya Verhaeghe, Health Promoter, Middlesex-London Health Unit
Claudia Paguaga, Youth Leader, One Life One You, Middlesex-London Health Unit