News Release                   For Immediate Release

August 03, 2005

Cinema messages paint the real picture of cigarette supply to kids

Owen Sound – Young people today are bombarded by marketing tactics from the tobacco industry that include paying movie stars to smoke on the big screen. The Not to Kids coalition helps children to stay smoke free and will provide anti-smoking messages in local theatres in the coming weeks.

“We are trying to counteract strong social pressures to take up the habit by urging older teens and young adults not to share, give, or buy cigarettes for anyone under 19,” says Linda Davies, Tobacco Control Program Manager at the Grey Bruce Health Unit.  “The availability of tobacco and the willingness of older youth to supply tobacco to younger peers are important environmental factors that have a strong influence on whether or not kids will start smoking.”

Under the law, it is illegal to sell or supply tobacco to anyone younger than 19 years of age.  All stores that sell tobacco are randomly checked to ensure compliance with the law, but many teens are getting cigarettes from older friends, family members, and even strangers.  The theatre campaign is targeting these suppliers.

“We know some adults and older teens will buy or give cigarettes to younger teens thinking they are doing them a favour.  Unfortunately, they are helping to create the next generation of people addicted to a product which, in time, will either kill them or leave them with major health problems like heart and lung disease, added Davies.

The campaign, supported by Health Canada, is running in selected cinemas in the province in August and September. The message is clear: “Think about what you are doing—don’t supply kids with cigarettes.”

For more information about Not To Kids visit the website at www.ntk.ca .

For more information:

Linda Davies

Tobacco Control Program Manager

Grey Bruce Health Unit

1-519-376-9420 ext. 410

1-800-263-3456