Dear sir:
In response to last week’s letter to the editor re: the Quit Smoking 2001 Contest, I would like to provide the following information.
The need to reduce the amount of smoking in our area is urgent. Northwestern Ontario residents smoke at a higher rate than residents in the rest of the province. We know that while rates in other parts of Ontario are decreasing, Northwestern Ontario rates are increasing, especially among certain groups (i.e., young women).
The Healthy Communities Coalition and the Northwestern Health Unit both support the Quit Smoking 2001 Contest. Last year, more than 12,000 smokers entered the contest, including 549 from the Kenora and Rainy River districts.
The majority of the costs for producing the materials and promoting the campaign is a provincial initiative funded by corporate donations and provincial grant money. All prizes have been donated.
We support the approach the Northwestern Health Unit has taken and would encourage the public to take all opportunities to reduce or eliminate smoking. The cost of treating people suffering from the illness associated with smoking is far superior to the current money being put into preventing smoking.
We respect your right to raise the questions but want to defend this campaign as money well spent.
Signed,
Kevin Kennedy
Rainy River and Area
Healthy Communities Coalition
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
