Toronto, ON (January 12, 2004) -- In its second report to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, entitled, "It's Time to Get Serious", The Lung Association's Youth Tobacco Team (YTT) calls upon health officials to better protect today's youth against the lure of tobacco use. Team members made the passionate presentation today to Peter Fonseca, MPP and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care at Toronto's Hard Rock Café.

The YTT showed support and were "extremely pleased" with the new Liberal government's plan to pass a province-wide ban on smoking in all public places and workplaces, including restaurants and bars, and encouraged this to be put into effect before 2006. These tighter restrictions will help reduce youth smoking and exposure to second hand smoke. Currently 19% of Ontario youth aged 15-19 smoke.

The YTT also fired missives against the tobacco industry and took aim against their marketing activities, especially those that specifically target youth. Citing the Internet as a lure for inviting youth to trendy events where tobacco companies promote and sell their products, as well as the powerful impact the film industry has on youth, the team asked for more stringent controls that would prevent ubiquitous access to youth markets.

"We conducted a recent survey which suggests that 73% of Canadians agree that actors smoking in movie roles does influence youth to take up smoking," says Youth Tobacco Team member Michelle Tham, 17, of Mississauga. "I am here to fight for our youth and our integrity. We may be young, but we are not blind to the deception and manipulation of tobacco companies."

The six recommendations, with headers the likes of, "Frankly Imperial, we don't give a damn", "Bad things come in slick packages" and "Protect us!", ensured the authentic voice of youth resonated off the pages of the report.

"Our government is pleased to receive the Youth Tobacco Teams' report. The main recommendations, including banning smoking in public places, increasing tobacco taxes and funding programs to reduce tobacco use among youth, are supported by our government's anti-tobacco policy platform," said Fonseca. "On behalf of the McGuinty government, I would like to congratulate these young people on a job well done!"

The team also suggested ways in which the Ministry could better access today's "plugged in" youth through text messaging, online chat groups, cellular telephones and pagers. Copies of the complete report can be obtained through www.on.lung.ca.

The Lung Association's Youth Tobacco Team (YTT) was formed in 2001 after identifying that not outlet existed for Ontario's youth to advise stakeholders in the tobacco prevention area on ways to curb the tobacco epidemic among young people. The YTT consists of high school students aged 14-18 who work within their communities across the province to develop and provide recommendations about ways to curb tobacco use. The Lung Association supports the YTT by helping it advance its mission to provide messages and activities aimed at youth.

The Lung Association is a registered charity that provides information and funding for research to improve lung health. We focus on the prevention and control of asthma, chronic lung disease, tobacco cessation and prevention, as well as air quality and its effects on lung health. For further information on lung health call The Lung Association at 1-888-566-5864(LUNG) or visit online at www.lung.ca.

Funding for The Lung Association's Youth Tobacco Team has been provided in part by the Ontario Tobacco Strategy, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. No endorsement by the Ministry is intended or should be inferred.

To listen to today's presentation, please visit: http://www.newswire.ca/en/webcast/viewEvent.cgi?eventID=717860

For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Avril Henry
Public Relations Manager
The Lung Association
Tel: 416-864-9911 x235
Cell: 416-802-9811
ahenry@on.lung.ca