Recently, Mary joined the President of the Australian Medical Association ACT, Dr Iain Dunlop, and His Excellency Mr Michael Bryce AM AE in congratulating the winner of ‘Art In, Butt Out’, Ms Sophie Taplin.
Art In, Butt Out is a competition in which year 8 students design an anti-smoking advertisement for Canberra Milk cartons to be distributed across Canberra. The winning artwork will be carried on an
estimated 48,000 milk cartons for
approximately six weeks.
In 2008, the rate of ACT students reporting they were smokers was 6.7%, which was less than a third of the numbers reported in 1999. While this is an excellent result, more work can be done to decrease the rate of smoking in young people. Hopefully this campaign designed by young people for young people will deter young people from smoking.
“More than 90% of Australians who currently smoke began as teenagers and most new users are young people. By encouraging students not to smoke, we can help them to live longer and healthier lives.
“This initiative provides an excellent opportunity for year 8 students to exercise their design and artistic skill in a real life situation, by devising and developing advertisements to positively
influence their peers.
“Importantly, the competition encourages young people to think about their health and well-being in a way that brings into focus the harmfulness of smoking and tobacco products, and helps them and their friends quit,” Mary concluded.
Gallery 2011 Image 26
