 |
 |
Ginny Lovell, author of You are the Target (Big Tobacco: Lies, Scams - Now The Truth), a book about the lies and deceit of the tobacco industry, had a serious message for young smokers in northern BC. She told crowds of more than 1250 students across the region that, "they are the target" of big tobacco companies that care more about profit levels than the health of their most loyal customers. Lovell has experienced first hand the devastation caused by tobacco use, and she wanted students to know about her personal loss, as well as her concern for youth - the future generation. Both Lovell's parents suffered chronic and life-threatening health effects due to the effects of tobacco use. After a lifetime of smoking, her father died at a relatively young age, while her mother, a non-smoker, now suffers from emphysema resulting from years of exposure to second-hand smoke. Lovell's presentations to students were informative and passionate! She told students at Smithers Secondary School, that in order to sustain the huge profit levels currently enjoyed by the tobacco industry, tobacco companies are counting on them to be their customers of the future. She talked about the testimonials of tobacco company CEOs, who insisted their product was not addictive - and all the while hiding secret documents which exposed their research into making nicotine as addictive as possible! Lovell's message was met by countless stories of students who expressed the seriousness of their addiction. Students were encouraged in their attempts to quit and in many cases were gifted a book by Lovell to show support for their efforts. The northerwestern part of Lovell's northern B.C. tour included visits to six communities, including Houston, Smithers, Hazelton, Terrace, Kitimat and Prince Rupert. She visited secondary schools in all communities and did a whirlwind nine presentations in four days! She also attended book launches in Smithers, Terrace and Prince Rupert, and was the guest speaker at the first Clean Air Breakfast Club in Prince Rupert . Reproduced from OUTLOOK magazine, July/August 2002 edition by kind permission of the Clean Air Coalition of B.C. |
| VANCOUVER AUTHOR GINNY LOVELL TOURS NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA by Eleanor Taylor, Regional Tobacco Reduction Co-Ordinator, Northern Health Authority (Prince Rupert, B.C.) |
| YOU ARE THE TARGET BIG TOBACCO: LIES, SCAMS - NOW THE TRUTH PROJECT MOVING TARGETŪ YOUTH TOBACCO AWARENESS COMPANION CLASSROOM CURRICULUM by Georgina Lovell |
 |