Neils Christensen
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Apr 12/04) - Three Grade 9 students are taking the lead against smoking in their school.

For the past five months, Inuksuk high school students Geoffrey More, Connie Burke and Colin McLean have talked to their peers and teachers, and broadcast their message to Iqaluit on the radio. They're doing it as part of a program called Building Leadership for Action in School Today.

McLean said that one of their activities included going on the school's public address system giving "fun-filled facts about smoking."

Some of those facts included: one litre of tar is in your lungs from a year of smoking; a cigarette contains more than 4,000 chemicals; and 1,000 Canadian die of second hand smoke every year.

"We just want to show how bad smoking is for people," said Burke.

Making a difference

The three said they have helped a number of teachers and students quit smoking since they started their campaign.

"You aren't doing this alone," said Burke, a former smoker. "It feels good not to smoke. I've helped one of my friends, too."

In December, they took to the radio airwaves on Raven Rock.

"More people are now more aware of the dangers of smoking and it's because of us," said McLean.

"It feels good that we are helping people," added Moore.

McLean said their message is simple and it's one they have spread since they started their campaign.

"We tried to make it cool not to be a smoker," he said.

Barb Young, teacher representative of the group, said she is amazed at how hard the students have worked.

"I think they have made a big difference in the school," she said. "They have learned to be leaders."

McLean said a reason he believes their message is getting through is because they are youth talking to other youth.

"Youth will listen to other youths more. We understand the pressure they have," said Burke.

The program finishes at the end of April. Young said because this group was so successful they are looking at starting another Grade 9 group next year.