Media Advisory                     January 12, 2006

Black Angels Promote National Non-Smoking Week January 16 - 22

Life-size cardboard Black Angel silhouettes on display throughout the region are part of the Grey Bruce Health Unit Youth Action Alliance Peer Leader’s activities for National Non-Smoking Week January 16 - 22. The youth team is hosting a week of smoke free events. Monday January 16 team members will be displaying life size cardboard Black Angels during the morning rush hour at major intersections in Owen Sound, Thornbury, Meaford, Flesherton, Wiarton and Port Elgin. Written across the front of each Black Angel is the number 130 providing a visual reminder of the number of Canadians dying everyday from tobacco related illnesses. The youth team will distribute Black Angel flyers asking residents to display them in their window to support a smoke free community. Youth Action Alliance members will also be at the Attack game on Saturday January 14 and the Greys game Friday January 20 handing out mini-sticks with a smoke-free message. The weekend of January 20 – 22, they will have a display set up at the Heritage Place Shopping Centre in Owen Sound

The Grey Bruce Youth Action Alliance is a youth led anti-tobacco industry project. Working as Peer Leaders in local high schools the youth team members lead awareness activities and promote a healthier lifestyle. They work to ensure other youth do not have access to tobacco products, inform the public of tobacco’s negative effects, and to attract the public support promoting the de-normalization of tobacco.

For more information on National Non Smoking Week Black Angel campaign, visit our website at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca

Attachment:

Black Angel Backgrounder 

For more information contact:

Charlene Giilck, Youth Advisor, ext. 475

Jason Cranny, Youth Advisor, ext. 471

Grey Bruce Health Unit

Tobacco Control Team

Peer Leader Program

(519) 376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456