News Release                              For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                         June 2, 2009

Youth Prevention Program Cancelled by the Province

The Grey Bruce Health Unit has received notice that the very popular and effective Youth Action Alliance (YAA) Program will be cancelled effective August 31, 2009. The program was launched in 2005 to support youth development, prevent children and youth from starting and becoming addicted to tobacco products, and to advocate for the elimination of involuntary exposure to second-hand smoke. The program mandate was recently expanded to promote healthy living. The cuts affect two full time Youth Advisors and 20 part time youth working in various communities across Grey Bruce.

“This will be a huge loss to communities across Grey Bruce where Peer Leaders and Youth Advisors have been involved in everything from advocating for smoke-free sports and recreation policies, to participating on local municipal committees promoting physical activity.” said Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Hazel Lynn. “The program has been particularly effective in Grey Bruce where the large rural area and smaller communities limit job and training opportunities for youth.”

The annual high school grants program for smoking prevention is also cut, affecting fourteen high schools across Grey Bruce. For almost half of the high schools in Ontario, the grant was the only tobacco control activity done in their school. It is estimated that 90% of smokers start before the age of 18.

Further cuts to enforcement funding are also expected. “The spread of cheap contraband tobacco is undermining much of the gains experienced over the past four years under the Smoke-Free Ontario strategy. This is not the time for the government to reduce its focus on tobacco control.” states Dr. Lynn.

Tobacco industry products remain the number one cause of preventable disease and death in Ontario and cost our health care system at least 1.5 billion dollars annually.

For more information, call Public Health at 519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 or visit the youth website at www.targetyouth.ca .

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Backgrounder: Youth Action Alliance

For more information:
Dr. Hazel Lynn
Medical Officer of Health
Grey Bruce Health Unit
519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 1269