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2-The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, Decembar 23, 2003 Anti-smoking message on screen in Burlington o U! 1Ste- 1FP The Champion The Halton Region Health Departmnent hopes a unique anti- smoking public service annouincemrent now appearing on the big screen will capture the attention of young people as they munch away on their bags of popcom. The 30-second spot doesn't feature today's big-name movie stars like Tom Cruise or Julia Roberts. But its message that selling or giving smokes 10 someone under 19 is illegal and could result in huge fines should be enough to perk their eyes and ears. The spots started appearing before the start of every main attrac- tion at the Famous Players movie theatre on Brant Street in Burlington the fis-st weckend of this month. They will continue being shown until the weekend of January 1. They alert eveiyone 10 the Tobacco Control Act, which prohibits those ussder-age from being sold or given cigarettes. Fines for a fis-st conviction ruai as bigh as $4,000. way as s-etailes- said lbny Ainalta, Halton's manage- of envi- ronmiental health. "Assd, it's socially unacceptable for young kids tii smoke and for anyone 10 encourage it." Most recent statistics show that 24 per cent of Halton youth aged 12 to 19 smoke, mirroring the provincial average. 'Me programn is trying toi help reduce that number by especially stopping young kids from getting their fis-st taste of a cigarette. "Any drop is good," Mr-. Amalfa said. "We (health staff) don't have thse same sos-t of influence that we do ove- the retailers because youth can bum a cigarette fromt each other. The age gs-oup we're targeting is 16 to 20 year olds." The movie theatre initiative is an expansion of the six-year-old Not t0 Kids programn. Fifteen public health units send businesses a binder of information teachissg them how to spot under-age kids and recognize fake identification. *Pet Food Or Supplies MILTON Clothlng, Footwear Countryd Dee" Country0 seo Lawn Or Garden 28 BonteSt. . *Glftware 905-878-2391. N. Far Supplies 905-88-239 Propane Monday - Friday 8-6pm *Set. 8-Spni t7 J es î, the Province. The Bus-lington movie theatre was chosen as part of an agree- ment signed with Famous Players and Galaxy cinemnas on behalf of the 15 public health unit coalition, Ms-. Amalfa said. Regional health staff wilI visit selected showmngs ove- the next couple of weeks and wiIl ask young people questions about the PSAs. Staff will make it worth their while toi pas-ticipate by givmng out coupons for $5 off their next movie admnission. The Ministry of Health and Long-Te-m Ca-e is expecting this diffeérent kind of initiative to make an impact. "It's to get their attention, hopefully, loud and clear - smoking kills and the studies hack that up," said ministsy spokespe-son John Letberby. According to Cancer Ca-e Onta-io, tobacco is the single biggest cause of cancer. In this province, a quarter of cancer deaths - more than 5,000 deaths each year - are due 10 tobacco. The movie theatre experiment will be assessed by att health units to see how effective it was, Mr. Amnalfa said. Also, he ssid Halton is planning to, set up advertising placards, possibly in high schools, denouncing smoking and the dangers of selling or giving butta to mmnors. Details are still being ironed out, but the hope is to, have il up and running in March. Jason Misner can be reached at jmisner@miltoncanadian- champion.com. Man charged in garage theft A man is charged with break and enter in connection with an incident where a Milton woman watched thieves enter her garage with a crow bar. Halton Police Det. Bs-ian Smith said a Twist Road resident saw two people enter her garage after a noise caused hier to look out- side December 13. The thieves placed $750 worth of tools in a car and drove away, Det. Smith said. Charged is a 42-year-old. Hamilton mani of no fixed address. The charges by Halton police came after Hamnilton police arrest- ed the suspect in the city in connection with possession of a stolen vehicle and plates. Holiday Gift Ce,:rtifi ats Make Shopfiflg ....... Easy! Arom.th rpy Massage -$89 l Hour River Rock Massage & Spa Manicure -$97 Purchase 5 Pedicures & Rocelive #me Mt one FREE -$240 Cail: 905.875.0508 550 Ontario St., Milton wwwBodyandSoie.ca Grea Hoida GiftId