News Release

1997-17
March 10, 1997

Dingwall launches contest for youth to help in fight against tobacco use

OTTAWA - Health Minister David Dingwall has launched the Health Canada Challenge to Youth, a tobacco-related contest for young people.

"I am asking young people to help us in the fight against youth smoking," said Minister Dingwall. "Eighty-five per cent of the 250,000 Canadians who start smoking each year are under the age of 16."

MuchMusic/Musique Plus, Future Shop, Cineplex Odeon Theatres and Empire Theatres are collaborating with Health Canada to actively promote the Challenge to Youth, a contest that invites 13-to 19-year-olds across Canada to submit their 20-second anti-tobacco message by calling a toll free number. The campaign is also being promoted on youth-related Internet Web sites such as SchoolNet, and on Health Canada's Web Site at /hppb/contest/be_a_star.

The Minister's Youth Advisory Committee on Tobacco will select two winners from each region, and the regional winners will win a trip to Vancouver in April to help develop a Health Canada commercial. The commercial will air on MuchMusic/Musique Plus and in Cineplex Odeon and Empire Theatres across the country this summer.

Interested teens should call 1-888-246-3338 by April 7, 1997. Complete rules and regulations are available at Future Shop CD Sources and in Cineplex Odeon and Empire Theatres in Canada.

Media Inquiries:
Sylvie Patry
Health Canada
(613) 957-2988

Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991