London, ON – Youth from the Middlesex-London Health Unit’s One Life One You joined Health Minister Deb Matthews, Medical Officer of Health Dr. Chris Mackie and some 50 teens from eight other health units across southwestern Ontario to celebrate World No Tobacco Day at London’s Covent Garden Market this afternoon. The celebration in Market Square was focused on calling for a federal ban on the addition of youth-friendly candy and fruit flavours to all forms of tobacco products, including chew, and to highlight the health risks associated with using tobacco products.

“It’s inspiring to see so many youth here today, actively engaged in this issue,” says Dr. Chris Mackie, Medical Officer of Health with the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “The hearts and minds of our youth are where this battle with the tobacco industry is being fought.”

The celebration featured flash mob performances by “morph” suit-clad youth and interactive displays. There was also an appearance by a giant cigarette, cigar, and tin of chew, all of which were soundly booed by those in attendance.

“The flavouring and packaging the industry uses for chew and other flavoured tobacco products clearly targets youth. We’re standing up today and saying enough is enough - cancer shouldn’t come in a candy wrapper,” says Scott Navarro, a Youth Leader with One Life One You. “We need a comprehensive, federal ban on flavours in all tobacco products.”

Participants were encouraged to sign the Flavourgone petition which calls on the federal government to ban the addition of flavours to all forms of tobacco products. In July, 2010 the Government of Canada enacted a ban on the sale of flavoured cigarillos and blunt wraps, because their popularity was growing among youth and young adults. Unfortunately, the industry has since been able to exploit loopholes in the legislation and has introduced new products, like flavoured cigars, and has continued to promote flavoured chew and snuff, which were never covered under the 2010 ban. As a result, the tobacco industry continues to use flavours to entice new youth to a lifetime of tobacco addiction.

One Life One You is a group of youth employed by the Middlesex-London Health Unit who advocate to their peers about the dangers of tobacco industry product use and how the industry targets youth. One Life One You also offers interactive, peer-to-peer educational activities aimed at encouraging youth to lead healthier lives.

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

Spokespeople:
Scott Navarro, Youth Leader, One Life One You, Middlesex-London Health Unit
Linda Stobo, Program Manager, Chronic Disease Prevention and Tobacco Control, Middlesex-London Health Unit