Friday, May 31, is World No Tobacco Day. The theme for 2002, "Tobacco Free Sports - Play it Clean" is very relevant. Sports and tobacco use do not mix. In fact, tobacco does not enhance anything: image, endurance or being "cool". This is a message that must be echoed all over the Island. The Prince Edward Island Tobacco Reduction Alliance (PETRA) says that it is critical to reach youth before they start smoking or using what is known as a "pinch" or smokeless tobacco.
The rate of smoking in PEI teens aged 15 to 19 is 24% during the first six months of 2001 (Canadian Tobacco Use Survey, Statistics Canada), down from 28% in 1999. Vicki Francis, Co-chair of PETRA and Executive Director of the Canadian Cancer Society, PEI Division says, "We must remember that 76% of PEI youth do not smoke. The research shows that if people do not start smoking before age 19 then they are very unlikely to ever start. We also know that participating in healthy activities will reduce the likelihood that teens will start smoking."
PETRA has worked to put in place a comprehensive effort that combines encouraging Islanders to stay tobacco free, helping those who smoke to stop smoking and promoting healthy environments where people are not exposed to the harmful effects of tobacco smoke.
"Together we can have a greater impact," says Lisa Shaffer, Co-Chair of PETRA and Tobacco Reduction Coordinator, Department of Health and Social Services. "Every activity is important but it is the combined contributions of the community, government at all levels and health organizations that really help us make a difference. Each school board, business and home that creates a smoke-free space... every physician who presents a tobacco free message... each public health nurse or addictions worker conducting a teen cessation program within our schools... each contributor to a tobacco use prevention curriculum for our schools... each Addiction Services nurse delivering the adult quit smoking program... and each health organization in the community providing smoking prevention messages and self-help quit smoking programs - contributes to the PETRA vision, "Healthy Islanders living in a tobacco smoke-free environment."
The many members of PETRA (PEI Home & School Federation, Regional Health Authorities, Canadian Cancer Society, PEI Division, Heart and Stroke Foundation of PEI, Western and Eastern School Boards, Medical Society of PEI, Evangeline Community Health Centre, PEI Lung Association, Federation of Municipalities, Holland College, Early Childhood Development Assoc., the Department of Health and Social Services and the Department of Education and Health Canada) are very active in helping Island youth stay smoke free.
On Friday, May 31, 2002 PETRA encourages all Islanders to think about how they can contribute and make every day a no tobacco day.