INUVIK - The anti-smoking campaign "Don't be a butthead - be smoke free," is gearing up for the upcoming school year.

"The smoking rate in the North is double the national average," said Claudia Richea, cessation project co-ordinator for the Department of Health and Social Services.

"Youth start early in the North; the department of health thought there was a need, so the 'Don't be a butthead campaign' was initiated and it's been largely successfully since then."

The campaign was launched in May 2004 and is aimed at getting eight to 14-year-olds to commit to remain smoke-free. The program targets kids who haven't started smoking and gives reasons as to why they shouldn't start.

"The campaign is just fun," said Richea. "The kids learn in an interactive way."

Through the campaign's mascot, Butthead the cigarette butt, kids learn facts about health and smoking, hear stories from role models and people affected by tobacco and are challenged to make a commitment to be smoke-free.

According to Richea, during the 2009-2010 campaign, 2,245 youth in the NWT made a commitment to be smoke-free.

Richea said the department is planning to launch a new website this school year and the campaign is going on the road to visit different schools.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.