Hamilton
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ON – May 29, 2006 - 44 people die needlessly in Ontario every day from tobacco industry products. Youth, in partnership with local health units in Central West Ontario, will be staging a memorial march on Wednesday, May 31 to mark World No Tobacco Day. The event will honour the victims of tobacco industry products, including those affected by second hand smoke. Selected areas within Central West Ontario will be hosting a "United We Breathe Strong" event to honour those who have died from tobacco industry products, or are currently suffering from tobacco related illness, or from the effects of second hand smoke. The march also unites youth in their commitment not to be future victims of the tobacco industry.
The Hamilton event will start at 4:30 p.m. at Gore Park with a street theatre presentation, followed by a police escort to City Hall. There the celebration will begin to mark World No Tobacco Day and the inception of the new Smoke Free Ontario legislation. There will be music, food and a formal presentation at 5:30 p.m. where youth and adult representatives will speak and address those in attendance.
The Central West Youth Coalition is a youth-led partnership with a mission to raise awareness about the tobacco industry and to prevent other young people from becoming addicted to tobacco industry products. The coalition includes members from Brant, Haldimand-Norfolk, Halton, Hamilton, Niagara, and Waterloo regions. Youth anti-tobacco movements have successfully reduced youth tobacco-use in many communities around the world.
Those interested in participating in this event can contact the Hamilton Crew for Action Against Tobacco at (905) 546-2424 ext: 7161. Together we can all make a difference in the efforts to take down the tobacco industry, “United We Breath Strong”.
PSA Contacts:
Chris Walters, Chair, Hamilton Crew for Action Against Tobacco (905) 869-3563
Clint LaBute, Central West Area Youth Coalition Representative (905) 546-2424 ext. 3618
Hamilton Crew for Action Against Tobacco