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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday October 28, 2006 - 21 Halton rewarded by province for butting out By Krissie Rutherford OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The Halton Region Health Department will receive a 63 per cent increase in provincial funding this year, Health Promotion Minister Jim Watson announced Thursday at the Halton Regional administration building. The additional money boosts the total from $354,000 last year up to $577,814 this year ­ is part of the government's Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy. As Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn noted, "Not many things get increased by 63 per cent at this time in government." The increased funding, he added, "is a testimony to the work the Halton Region Health Department has been doing." That, too, was recognized yesterday in council chambers in front of nearly 100 people as Watson and Flynn presented the Department with a Heather Crowe Award for its work in helping to reduce tobacco consumption. Just 16 per cent of Halton residents smoke, said Watson, compared to the 20 per cent provincial average. "Halton region really does have quite a remarkable and positive track record, not only when it comes to tobacco," said Watson, noting its success in the Driven to Quit contest to encourage smokers to quit, its free cessation counseling, therapy and other programs to encourage tobacco control, prevention and cessation. "This is a way for our government to say thank you." The award is named after Crowe, a waitress who didn't smoke, but worked 40 years in the service industry surrounded by a "blue haze of smoke," said Watson, and contracted lung cancer as a result. "Instead of feeling sorry for herself, she used her illness and her impending death to try to change attitudes." Crowe was featured in a few commercials with "her simple message that you shouldn't have to put your life at risk simply by going to work," he said. About two months before her death, Watson and Premier Dalton McGuinty asked if they could create an award in her memory to give to individuals and organizations making significant strides in tobacco control, and yesterday recognized the Halton Region Health Department. "We're quite honoured," said Medical Officer Of Health for Halton Region, Dr. Bob Nosal. "It gives us an opportunity to celebrate the enormous strides that have been made in the area of tobacco control, both in the province of Ontario, and here within the region." With the help of partners like the Halton Region Health Department, Watson said, the government's goal of reducing tobacco consumption in the province by 20 per cent before the end of 2007 is nearly achieved ­ it's already down 18.7 per cent. "That's an amazing accomplishment," said Watson, adding that a reduction of 20 per cent is the equivalent of 2.6 billion cigarettes, which would stretch out 219,000 km. "It's a lot of tobacco, a lot of cigarettes, and really, a lot of lives saved," he said, adding, "We still have work to do." Flynn echoed that point. "Though the rates are decreasing, teens are continu- ing to smoke," he said, adding that's why it's important to recognize organizations like the Halton Region Health Department for their "invaluable efforts to educate the public on the dangers of tobacco and second hand smoke." Alliance Chiropody (Foot Care) Clinic Member of Alliance Healthcare Professionals Inc. "Providing quality foot care to meet all your foot health needs" SALIMA KASSAM REG. CHIROPODIST AMERICAN EXPRESS EXPRE Specializing in: · Foot/Arch Pain · General/Diabetic Care · Permanent Ingrown Toenail Removal · Custom Made Foot Orthotics P BARRIE ERSKINE / OAKVILLE BEAVER CALL 905-845-2291 232 SOUTH SERVICE ROAD E. OAKVILLE Improve your Quality of Life with Better Hearing REWARD: Ontario Health Promotion Minister Jim Watson announces Halton Region Health Department will receive a 63 per cent funding increase to $577,814 from his department this year as part of the government's Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy. Joanna Berrigan Offers In-Home or On-Site Counseling If you have a news tip or story idea, call the Oakville Beaver at 845-3824 Helping families cope and communicate after diagnosis CALL US TODAY! 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