NEWS FROM PROVINCIAL OFFICE

Ticker Tom Purrs Along...

The Ticker Tom Heart Health Program, developed for children and youth ages 6 - 12 enrolled in summer recreation programs, was revised during the spring of 2000 and implemented by four of our Heart Health Coalitions throughout the summer months. All reports indicate that the cat with the cool heart health messages to share, was enthusiastically received. In total, sixteen Training Workshops were held with 220 Recreation Leaders trained to deliver this week long program. Through this program, approximately 1,150 children and youth attending summer recreation programs were provided the opportunity to engage in fun and interactive activities while learning about healthy eating, active living and staying smoke-free. The Ticker Tom Program was also featured through a presentation at the 13th Canadian Heart Health Network Meeting in Vancouver in October 2000.

We are currently putting together a detailed provincial summary of the pilot program which will include additional ideas and suggestions for next year's implementation.

Heart Smart Restaurant Program

The revised Heart Smart Restaurant Program will be launched in January, 2001. This public education program designed to help restaurant patrons identify and select healthy food choices, will be available to all restaurants, who meet the program criteria, and are interested in offering healthy food choices to their patrons.

The revised program is made up of a Coordinator's Manual and a Volunteer Manual. The program features a new "provincial look" with posters, table tents, door decals, certificates for restaurants newsletter, dining guide, and promotional brochures, all sporting the new and exciting look.

Thanks to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador, our partners in the program, for their support. Thanks is also extended to the Heart Smart Restaurant Committee for revising the original program and promotional materials, for provincial use.

For more information on how to become involved in the program, please contact the Heart Health Coalition in your region.

Tobacco Update - Smoking Sucks Campaign

On September 20, 2000, the latest provincial tobacco initiative came to life. In a ceremony attended by nearly 1,000 high school students, Health Minister Grimes joined with the Alliance for the Control of Tobacco (ACT) for the unveiling of Smoking Sucks, a multi-media anti-smoking education campaign aimed at young people throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. The locally produced campaign features three high school students from across the province who played a significant role in developing the messages for the campaign. The ad features real teens delivering real messages about the dangers of smoking, second-hand smoke, and about the manipulative tactics of the tobacco industry.

Youth were directly involved in developing the campaign with the idea for smoking sucks coming directly from young people across the province who asked for frank, no holds barred information. The campaign includes three television ads; three posters; three radio commercials; a newspaper promotion and a smokingsucks.com web site for teens. For additional information on the media campaign or to obtain free copies of the poster, please contact the Alliance for the Control of Tobacco (ACT) at (709) 753-0079. Also visit the teen web site "smokingsucks.com" to learn more.

Class of 2000 Smoking Prevention Scholarships

In May 1990, the Class of 2000 Smoking Prevention Program was launched with all grade two students across the province. The purpose of the program was to promote a smoke-free generation by the year 2000. During the program launch, students made a pledge to remain smoke-free and sealed a time capsule containing their pledge cards. Each year as the students progressed through the grades, an activity to reinforce the message to remain smoke-free was introduced. To celebrate the conclusion of this initiative, a scholarship program was developed to recognize students who had maintained their commitment to be smoke-free. The Class of 2000 were asked to submit an essay explaining why they have remained smoke-free and their pledge to continue with this healthy choice. On September 28, 2000, Health and Community Services Minister Roger Grimes announced the scholarship winners. Twelve students, two from each Health and Community Services Region, received a $500.00 scholarship to assist with their post-secondary education. Congratulations from the Heart Health Program to all the winners!

From left to right: Stephanie Butt, St. Lunaire; Heather Coles, Port Saunders; Betty Jararuse, Makkovik; Health & Community Services Minister, Roger Grimes; Jessica Ryan, Biscay Bay; Crystal Donahue, Fox Harbour; Diana Noseworthy, St. John's; and Christopher Gray, Shoe Cove

Missing from photo: Mark Dibbon, Burin; Justin Locke, Grand Falls-Windsor; Crystal Miller, Stephenville; Tyler Toope, Pond Cove; and David Hapgood, Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

Heart and Stroke Foundation....Big Bike Ride

The "Big Bike" appeared in the Province for the fifth consecutive year on August 30, 2000 and each year has proven more successful than the last!

The Bike commenced its journey in Port aux Basques and concluded its Province-wide trip on the first weekend in October in St. John's.

During the month of September, the Bike visited approximately 45 communities; conducted in the vicinity of 85 rides and enjoyed the participation of roughly 2,500 participants.

Participants were presented with beautiful incentives for the dollars they generated.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Heart Health Program would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very prosperous 2001 !