Yellowknife (Nov 01/04) - Two territorial MLAs vowed last Monday to quit smoking and to do it as an example for the NWT's children.

Kevin Menicoche, MLA for Nahendeh, and Sahtu MLA Norman Yakeleya promised to kick the habit as part of the GNWT's Challenge to be Smoke Free. The pair are challenging school kids in their constituencies to stay away from smoking.

"The key here with the MLAs is saying 'look at us, look how hard this is for us to do,' and to get that message into the schools," explained health promotion specialist Miriam Wideman.

Menicoche and Yakeleya said they would report their progress to the assembly in January.

"Enough is enough. It's time to walk the talk and butt out for life," said Yakeleya.

According to Yakeleya, the MLAs were responding to a challenge laid down last year by Michael Miltenberger, Minister of Health and Social Services. Until now, the power of the addiction has prevented them from quitting.

Do it for the kids

Yakeleya pointed out that the price of cigarettes in the Sahtu has risen to $15 per pack but said his real motivation came from his two-year-old son. The decision was finally made when the two were driving home from Peace River, Alta.

Yakeleya said the boy was holding a crayon like a cigarette, saying, "I want to smoke, I want to smoke."

Menicoche said the results of quitting have been immediate.

"I already know my decision has caused people to do the same thing."

The Challenge to be Smoke Free is a territory-wide initiative to get an anti-smoking message into schools.

The program targets kids aged eight to 14 -- before they start smoking.

-- with files from Mike W. Bryant