River Valley students have a “BLAST” against tobacco
By Dan Singleton
Round Up staff
With photo by Jennifer Cheung
The eight River Valley students who attended the recent BLAST leadership conference in Sylvan Lake may soon be pushing for a no-smoking zone around Sundre schools.
Sponsored by the Lung Association of Alberta, the conference saw more than 100 participants from 18 junior high schools in Alberta discussing anti-smoking initiatives and plans, tobacco legislation, and taking part in team-building exercises.
Teacher Jennifer Cheung and family school liaison Chantal Day-Miko attended the three-day conference with the eight Grade 7 and 8 Sundre students.
Cheung said Sundre will be applying for a grant being offered by the association, and if successful, the Sundre students will be spearheading a number of anti-smoking initiatives.
Those plans could include a smoke-free zone around Sundre schools, she said.
“The Lung Association is committed to empowering youth to prevent tobacco use and to hold tobacco companies accountable,” said Heather Lisney. “The BLAST program continues to play an important role in the overall effort to keep Alberta youth smoke-free for life.”
The association says about 48,000 Alberta youths are currently smokers.
“Youth are smart and can make informed choices,” said Shaine Peters, a leading tobacco control expert who took part in the conference, “but they are also vulnerable and susceptible to marketing influences.”
