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Young People Encouraged to be Smokefree
By Derval Keenan, 9/26/2005 2:59:21 PM
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The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) are encouraging all 14 ?– 18 year olds across Northern Ireland to ?‘Just be Smokefree?’ during the month of October.
By doing so they will improve their health, show their support for a smokefree environment and be in with a chance to win a fantastic trip to Europe, a cash prize or an iPOD mini.
Cathy McAleenan, Project Co-ordinator, UCF said, ?“We are co-ordinating this exciting project across 10 European countries for a 6th successive year. We are urging all young people between the ages of 14 ?– 18 years of age to ?‘Just be Smokefree?’ for one month from 1st ?– 31st October 2005. The competition is open to non-smokers, occasional smokers and daily smokers.
?“Last year a total of 2000 young people from 70 schools across Northern Ireland took part in the competition with daily and occasional smokers pledging to quit smoking for the month of October. Those pupils who had remained smokefree for the entire month were then entered in a draw for the chance to win one of ten top prizes, or 20 runner-up prizes. Past winners have included pupils from Banbridge Academy, St. Columbs in Derry and Aquinas Grammar and St. Louises in Belfast.
?“We have distributed application forms to all schools and colleges within Northern Ireland and we hope to encourage even more schools to participate in the competition. Their involvement will highlight the benefits of smoking cessation and prevention, while educating young people on the dangers of smoking.?”
The European Commission funds the competition and this years?’ partners joining Northern Ireland in the competition are Finland, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Sweden, Romania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Estonia.
Schools and colleges can enter the competition by registering online at ulstercancer.org/aboutucf/smokefree.html or filling in an application form and sending it to the Ulster Cancer Foundation, Pavilion 2, Belvoir Park Hospital, Belfast, BT8 8JR or email justbesmokefree@btconnect.com. The closing date for receipt of application forms is Friday 30th September 2005.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Pauline Wylie
PR Manager, UCF
Tel. 028 9049 2007 / 07810 371118
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