C.A.G.E. / 2CL / MYCHOICE FORUMS

CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY, QUEBEC DIVISION

Transmitted by CNW Group on : November 3, 2009 09:00
Media advisory - The Canadian Cancer Society is looking for a victory - A powerful demonstration against illegal tobacco

The media are invited to attend a football match "Show" between the BLITZ
and a team representing illegal, contraband tobacco.
This is the first event of its kind organized by the Canadian Cancer
Society (CCS) in collaboration with the Fédération québécoise du sport
étudiant (FQSE).


MONTREAL , Nov. 3 /CNW Telbec/ - This public activity will demonstrate that the final game between the public and illegal tobacco cannot be won without the concerted effort of an interministerial team working with community groups like the CCS.

Illegal tobacco affects numerous ministries: Revenue, Public Security, Justice, Finance, Health and Education. According to the CCS, all of the players in Quebec society concerned about illegal tobacco have to play together, mount a defence and institute a good game plan to intercept passes, score touchdowns and ultimately win the game.

WHAT: A young, loud and playful demonstration designed to denounce
illegal tobacco.

WHERE: On the Place Ville Marie Esplanade (between Metcalfe and
University streets)

WHEN: Wednesday November 4th 2009, from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m.

HOW: Stopping the advance with players from the cégep du Vieux-
Montréal's Spartiates.
An address by Ms. Suzanne Dubois, Executive Director of the
Quebec Division of the Canadian Cancer Society.
Possible on-site interviews:
- Mr. Marc Drolet, Director of Public Affairs, Quebec
Division, Canadian Cancer Society
- Mr. Rob Cunningham, Senior Policy Analyst, Canadian Cancer
Society

Aren't you glad this is what donations are going toward? How is this finding a cure for cancer, since they are always asking for that reason?

There was a time when I had much more trust and faith in the " health charities" industry.
A cure?
How many Polio Associations are around the globe providing high paying jobs?

flex

Mr. Moffatt,

We thank you for your e-mail about the Canadian Cancer Society’s event held yesterday morning in Montreal regarding illegal tobacco.

The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) is a national, community-based organization of volunteers, whose mission is the eradication of cancer and the enhancement of the quality of life of people living with cancer. The CCS takes its stewardship role of donor dollars very seriously and makes every effort to allocate these dollars where they will make the most difference in making cancer history. In working to control cancer, we focus our work in 5 areas: research, advocacy, prevention, information and support.

The event we planned on November 4th is part of both our prevention and advocacy efforts: our aim is to lobby governments and public groups to create environments (including laws) to reduce people’s risk of cancer and consequently lead to fewer cancer cases and deaths. It was also planned during a national conference on tobacco and health organized by the Canadian Council for Tobacco Control (CCTC).



Tobacco control is a main priority for us across the country: tobacco use is responsible for 30% of all deaths by cancer and 85% of all lung cancers. Also, 30 persons a day die in Quebec because of tobacco use. This is and should be a concern to all of us.

We are preoccupied with the growing phenomenon of illegal, cheap tobacco and so are all the public health experts and others gathered at the conference. Contraband is currently the largest impediment to the reduction of tobacco use. Because of the low price, these illegal tobacco products encourage young adults to smoke and discourage them from quitting, in addition to getting ex-smokers to fall off the wagon and start again. Illegal tobacco represents more than 30% of tobacco smoked in Quebec today.

The fact that young people have access to contraband tobacco, whose distribution networks, managed by criminals, have infiltrated high schools, encourages youth to start smoking, to smoke more and not quit. In Quebec, the number of declared smokers among the young between 20 and 24 years of age is approximately one-in-three at this time, or about 148,500 young Quebecers. This rate is one-in-five for the overall population. Also, 30 persons a day die in Quebec because of tobacco use. This is and should be a concern.

Finally, our low-cost demonstration was aimed at illustrating that the final game between the community and illegal tobacco could not be won without an appropriate game plan, a team effort between different levels of government and ministries in concert with groups like the CCS. Without a forceful concerted effort, we believe that access to illegal tobacco will increase tobacco use.



We hope that this information helps you better understand the choice that we made. If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact us.



MARC DROLET

Director, Public Affairs

Canadian Cancer Society

Quebec Division

5151, de l'Assomption Blvd.

Montreal, QC H1T 4A9

Tel. : 514 255-5151 ext. 2400

Fax : 514-255-2808

mdrolet@quebec.cancer.ca

I'm interested in knowing who won the game? I suspect that the outcome was predetermined,or the team stacked.

I work with a woman whose son died (year or so ago) of some lung ailment.He had a long battle with it,and I don't recall what he had but that is not the point.They tried to get help from Lung Assn's,probably Cdn. & Man. Lung Assn.s.They never lifted a finger to help.(her words) Apparently they just use all the money they recieve for administration and some advertising.They do not do any research or help anyone.In effect they are just a waste of money that could be better spent on something useful,like health care.We just had our United Way drive & she "reminded" everyone not to donate to the Lung Assn.s.(you can exclude any group from getting any part of your donation)