Jillian Dickens
Northern News Services

Clyde River (Oct 10/05) - Axe Body Spray -- the latest fad among Clyde River youth - has been axed from the Quluaq high school.

The strong scented men's spray caused breathing problems, primarily among asthmatic students and staff at the school, said principal John Thorne.

Complaints from five staff members and two students of an allergic reaction to the scent prompted the ban.

Vice-principal Jukeepa Hainnu informed residents with an announcement on the community radio station, and teachers informed their students directly.

"The problem was that kids were using it after gym class and were just putting too much on," said Thorne. "Some kids were literally spraying it all over themselves."

Clyde River Health Centre nurse Rita Dugas said as far as she knows, nobody requested medical attention due to breathing problems associated with the spray.

"I haven't heard anything about this," said Dugas.

Until recently, residents could only buy Axe body spray at the Qimipiq corner store in town.

Owner Lizzie Palituq stopped selling it when she heard complaints of breathing problems.

"She took them off the shelves as soon as she heard," said Eema Palituq, the owner's daughter.

Loassie Tassugat does the orders for the Northern Store. He says the spray flew off the shelves last year when he stocked up on it.

"A lot of people bought it," said Tassugat. Despite great sales, he didn't order more on this year's sealift.

"I haven't ordered it because I know people are allergic," said Tassugat.

The Aarruja Store in Clyde River stocks basic personal hygiene products like lotions, shampoos, baby products and soap. But the store clerk says she's noticed a lot of kids wearing the fragrance, calling it "the latest fad."

She says if a new product hits the shelves it will be popular until something comes along to replace it.

Tricks of the trade

Heavy marketing attributes for the product's popularity, said a group of teenage boys during lunch hour at Inuksuk high school in Iqaluit.

"I first started wearing it because I saw it on TV," said Pascal Desnoyers. After five months of wearing the product, he stopped because he found "good stuff that lasts. Axe is cheap."

Philip Ningeongat also first heard of Axe on TV.

He's seen a couple commercials, even though he barely watches television. He used to wear it, but thought it was too strong.

"I have a friend that wears it and I choke on it when I smell it," said Ningeongat.

One Axe body spray Internet advertisement says: "Longer lasting Axe lasts longer, so your mojo works overtime and you can fulfil, how do we say, more of your manly desires. Just one application of longer lasting Axe and you'll stay smelling like a hunk of man candy all day long. And you like that, because babes like man candy. Lots."

Axe representatives didn't return calls for comment before deadline.