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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, November 21, 2013 | 22 Students full of ideas to keep youths from lighting up by Dennis Smith Special to the Beaver Health "Connected to your Community" Students lit up with ideas instead of cigarettes during an anti-smoking discussion at White Oaks Secondary School (WOSS) last week. Only seven per cent of Canadians aged 15-17 are smokers, noted Eve Adams, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Federal Minister of Health. "Smoking among Canadian youths is at an all-time low. Our work is actually working," said Adams, the MP for MississaugaBrampton South. "I'm reaching out to you anytime for ideas." Plenty were offered by the White Oaks students. Jayde Jones said a more proactive approach is needed to discourage smoking. "We hear about how bad smoking is when we're in Grade 9 and then we don't hear about it," said the Grade 11 student. "I see kids smoking all the time. Once I see the kids, I walk on by." Use of social media, graphic advertising and the influence of friends of young smokers were among suggestions by students to discourage tobacco use. Some noted older relatives who've smoked for years still benefited from quitting. When asked if they'd tried smoking, several students raised their hands. One said she did it while vacationing in Romania. "It's huge there," said the student. "It pretty much makes you try it." Another student noted that many kids who smoke have parents who also smoke. Eve Adams, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Mississauga-Brampton South MP , appeared on behalf of Canada's Minister of Health Rona Ambrose to speak with White Oaks Secondary School students about the health effects of tobacco. | photo by Riziero Vertolli ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog) The issue of the relation of smoking and mental health was also brought up. Canadian Cancer Society senior policy analyst Rob Cunningham told students more deaths are caused by lung cancer than other forms of the deadly disease. "Many people don't recognize that," he said. "It's a major cause of heart disease. The heart is affected by secondhand smoke." He said smoking also poses risks during pregnancy, with blindness and stroke among the potential health hazards. Cunningham, who wrote the book Smoke & Mirrors: The Canadian Tobacco War asked students about smoking-related health problems. They cited lung cancer, dental problems and emphysema, a lung disease. Water pipes, cigars and chewing tobacco were noted as some other items used for smoking. "There are other products and not just cigarettes," said Cunningham. "There are water pipes, which 12 years ago, did not exist." He also mentioned the chemical in tobac- co that gets people hooked. "Nicotine is very addictive," said Cunningham. "It is as addictive as heroin and cocaine." Adams cited government actions like having stiff penalties for illegal tobacco sales. "The anti-smoking campaign is one of the best things we can do for health," she said. Adams said clear warnings about smoking cover more than 75 per cent of a cigarette package. She noted the government has prohibited the sale of cigarettes, little cigars and Blunt Wrap cigars that have flavouring agents. "They're targeted at young people and non-smokers," said Adams. "If kids smoke, there are serious consequences to their health and the health-care system." Adams mentioned the approach she takes with her eight-year-old son. "I repeat the message over and over," she said. "It's absolutely the way to achieve success." She said certain smoking behaviours have been discouraged through advertising and creating awareness. "You used to see people smoking in the car while there was a child in the car," said Adams. After the session, Adams said personal stories by students stood out, like the girl who tried smoking in Europe because everyone was smoking there. As for helping youthful smokers quit, she cited the Quit for Life program. "Parents and adults mentor and guide youths," she said. "It has proved to be a success." For more details, visit www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ hc-ps/tobac-tabac/index-eng.php. HEARING SCIENCES Pilates Audiology and Hearing Aid Centre Living Well 905-847-0707 Yes, we have INVISIBLE hearing instruments! Over the last 3 years, hearing instrument technology has advanced so they are small enough to fit deep into the ear canal allowing for use during active sports. This is one of many tiny options available. For some patients, the open fit option is preferred. These miniature options are available in all price ranges of high performance digital instruments. Hear the difference for yourself. 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