Public Health Celebrates World No Tobacco Day with New Community Awards
Written by admin, May 31, 2013
May 31, 2013 – Local Champions Recognized for their Commitment to Protecting Public Health
The impressive achievements of local individuals and organizations to protect residents from tobacco’s ill-effects were the centerpiece of three new awards handed out today by Peterborough Public Health in celebration of World No Tobacco Day.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Rosana Salvaterra announced eleven recipients in three categories at a special event in Del Crary Park today, one of the city’s first smoke-free parks. Awards were presented in three categories: Exceeding the Standards Award, Youth Cessation or Prevention Award, and Community Leader Award. Click here for this year’s Champion for Tobacco-Wise Award recipients.
“The Public Health is very proud, and very excited to highlight the good work our partners are doing to protect public health by presenting them with our inaugural Champion for Tobacco-Wise Peterborough Awards,” said Dr. Salvaterra. “We hope these awards will encourage others to follow in the footsteps of our community leaders, by providing cessation services to support those trying to quit and implementing bylaws or policies that will help protect the health of everyone in our area.”
Every year the World Health Organization marks May 31 as World No Tobacco Day. It is a day set aside both to acknowledge the gains made in tobacco control worldwide, but also a day to highlight how much more work there is to be done to prevent the use of commercial tobacco products.
“Municipalities and organizations in both Peterborough City and County have been at the forefront of progressive tobacco control for the better part of a decade,” noted Dr. Salvaterra. “In many instances, groups and other jurisdictions are looking to Peterborough for advice on how to replicate what we’ve been able to achieve.
Locally, World No Tobacco Day is used to recognize champions that have made a tangible difference to the health of our community. All of the recipients are making great advances to clear the air of secondhand smoke, help people quit smoking, or encourage youth to stay tobacco-free.
“While there is much to be celebrated about our community’s collective achievements, there is still much to be done,” added Dr. Salvaterra.
Tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death in Ontario. Each year, smoking and exposure to second-hand-smoke results in 13,000 deaths in Ontario. Locally, the use of commercial tobacco products kills approximately 286 Peterborough residents each year.
For more information on smoke-free policies, tobacco-free living or supports for quitting smoking, please contact Peterborough Public Health at 705-743-1000 or visit the Smoke-Free Places web page on www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca.
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For further information, please contact:
Claire Townshend
Health Promoter, Tobacco Use Prevention
Peterborough Public Health
705-743-1000, ext. 355