That's right ladies and gents! Youth from Eastern Ontario are taking Picton, Ontario by storm on May 31st, 2008 - dozens of youth are joining forces to raise awareness about the need for Smoke Free beaches. This is pretty huge; filled with activities and hardcore advocacy.

May 31st is also World No Tobacco Day, just another opportunity for us to redefine what it means to be an advocate.

Our tobacco-free youth groups: Veritas, Raize, Unfiltered, Take Charge, Amplify, and exposé, will be uniting once again to make sure we're heard. Smoke free beaches are important because second hand smoke has been linked to almost 300 deaths in Canada every year and second-hand smoke is still dangerous outside, if you are close to the source of the smoke. That’s right, studies from Stanford University show this is true! If youth are being exposed on beaches then we still have work to do. Furthermore, tobacco industry product garbage is the most littered item in the world; over 4.3 trillion butts are littered worldwide each year!

We can't stop now.

We will also look to clean the beach of tobacco industry products like cigarette butts. If garbage from tobacco industry products is affecting one of Ontario’s beautiful beaches, then we'll definitely step in. A clean and healthy beach is important for the safety of Ontario’s youth and children.

Packed with interactive games and an aerial photograph symbolizing our international fight, May 31st is predicted to be a knock out win for all youth groups dealing with the important issues of tobacco control.

Join us in Picton, Ontario in encouraging smoke free beaches! It's our turn to speak up and speak out for the youth who may not be able to do so. And you should come too! Check out the information on this website and contact the group nearest you to find out about how to join us for this great day!

Written By: Armin, expose youth program, Ottawa Public Health

Wake Up World Poster
Ontario's Youth Take a Global Stand for Smoke-Free Sands
Canada's Coasts
Fact Sheet on Second-hand Smoke and Outdoor Spaces