Youth to Advise Premier on Tobacco Issues

Premier John Hamm is kicking off National Non-Smoking Week by unveiling an important part of his government's new Tobacco Control Strategy. The Department of Health and its partners have established the Premier's Youth Tobacco Advisory Committee.

The formation of the committee comes after the Department of Health's Tobacco Control Unit gathered data indicating there are more than 16,000 underage smokers in Nova Scotia. These young people smoke, on average, nine cigarettes per day. Independent studies have shown that Nova Scotia has the highest number of smokers per capita among Canadian provinces, including a high percentage of youth smokers.

"Having this group of bright young people to advise me is a progressive step toward making Nova Scotia, and indeed Nova Scotians, healthier," said Premier John Hamm.

The Youth Tobacco Advisory Committee is composed of 10 young people, ranging in age from 13 to 17 years, who will advise the premier on issues relating to tobacco use, as well as ways to prevent smoking, protect kids against second-hand smoke and to help youth who want to quit smoking.

Members of the committee cite various reasons for their involvement.

"I ski regularly and everyday I jog around my neighbourhood delivering newspapers," said one participant. "But I wouldn't be able to do these things if I smoked."

Another has witnessed the hazards of smoking in her own home.

"I have a number of family members who have been smoking for years. I now see the dangers first-hand because they are dying of cancer. The growing population of youth smokers need to realize the harm they are doing to themselves."

The Nova Scotia Youth Tobacco Advisory Committee includes:
Shaileen Collins, Sydney; Liam Vance, Masstown, Colchester Co.; Lydia Gould, Eskasoni, Cape Breton Co.; Sarah Doull, Beaver River, Colchester Co.; Denise Selig, Springfield, Annapolis Co.; Kelly Saunders, Dartmouth; Mat Whynott, Lower Sackville; Shannan MacDonald, Truro; and Jamie Lynn Desmond, Monastery, Antigonish Co. Members are appointed for a one-year term, during which they will meet four times to discuss issues and advise the premier.

"This is not just about getting our young people off cigarettes," said Health Minister Jamie Muir. "It's about halting a problem before it starts. Kids can take charge of an important aspect of their lives -- their health -- by rejecting a habit that is both addictive and deadly. The young people on this committee will help to shape policies that will affect their generation, and many generations to follow."

The Youth Tobacco Advisory Committee is a key part of the Department of Health's Tobacco Control Strategy, and further details will be released within the next few weeks. The strategy, developed with a number of key partners, is designed to address health concerns, and the fact that tobacco use has proven to be a considerable drain on Nova Scotia's health care system.

Cancer Care Nova Scotia, a program of the Department of Health, released a study on the costs of tobacco use in Nova Scotia this past fall. It reported that tobacco sales in Nova Scotia last year generated about $70 million in taxes, yet the province spent more than $170 million treating smoking-related illnesses. It has been estimated that if 10 per cent of smokers quit, the province would save $1 billion over the course of those former smokers' lifetimes due to the reduced burden on the heath-care system and increased worker productivity.

In June 2000, the Department of Health heeded the advice of various groups concerned about tobacco consumption and the health risks associated with smoking when it earmarked an additional $450,000 for use by its Tobacco Control Unit.

Note to Editors: Premier John Hamm and Health Minister Jamie Muir will be joining some members of the Youth Advisory Council for a photo opportunity at 2 p.m. this afternoon in the Premier's Room, Province House.