Tyler Ward, youngest winner of Norman C. Delarue award

EDMONTON, October 3 – Tyler Ward, a University of Toronto student and executive director of Education-Bringing Youth Tobacco Truths (E-BUTT) became the youngest winner of the Norman C. Delarue award today, presented by Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada.

Ward became the 14th recipient for his work to raise awareness about tobacco, schools and young people, and for successfully petitioning the University of Toronto to remove tobacco products from campus and sell-off its tobacco industry investments.

“I am deeply honoured to be chosen for this prestigious award,” said Ward, followed by deafening applause. “There are countless others who have achieved amazing things in tobacco control, and there is still much to be done. I dedicate this award to all of you as we work together for a smokefree Canada.”

After the presentation, Ward left the conference to present a letter to Dr. Indira Samarasekera, president at the University of Alberta, requesting that the institution halt tobacco industry research grants and donations, and sell-off any tobacco-related investments.

“The University of Alberta needs to follow the lead of its health-related schools and stop accepting money from an industry whose products kill more than 50 per cent of long-term users,” said Ward. “In fact, all institutions of higher education should cut ties to an industry that has repeatedly lied to the public, manipulated research and deceived governments over the health concerns and addictiveness of the products they sell.”

E-BUTT’s latest campaign is called RID (Research-Investments-Donations), and aims to bring students, faculty and the general public across Canada together on this important issue.

“We applaud Tyler for everything he has done at such a young age to improve the health of Canadians,” said Cynthia Callard, executive director, Physician’s for a Smoke-Free Canada. “He was very deserving of this honour and we anticipate great work from him in the future.”

Tobacco use is the largest cause of preventable death and disease. Smoke-free initiatives protect the public against the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and make a world of difference in improving health. Actions must be taken at every level to achieve a smoke-free Canada.

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