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RANKIN INLET - Federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq was in Rankin Inlet this past week to announce the federal government's latest anti-tobacco programs aimed at reducing smoking among Inuit and First Nations.

The Quit to Win Challenge is a two-year program geared towards youth aged eight to 17.

Federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq was in Rankin Inlet to announce two antitobacco projects this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Youth who enter the challenge agree to stay tobacco free for a period of six weeks.

Prizes will be randomly awarded to youth who quit smoking or remain tobacco free.

The program will be undertaken by the National Indian and Inuit Community Health Representatives Organization, which is a non-governmental organization that represents aboriginal community health representatives across Canada.

Local schools will also be involved in the challenge by supporting entrants and implementing tobacco-education activities.

Schools in each region will compete for cash prizes to purchase playground, sports, music or computer equipment.

The feds will supply $472,000 to the challenge during its two-year period.

Aglukkaq said there are far too many smokers North of 60, and they start when they are young.

She said current data indicate smoking rates among Inuit and First Nations are about triple the Canadian average.

"For every 10,000 people living in Canada's far North, cigarette sales amount to about $12 million," said Aglukkaq.

"Just think about how that money could be used to improve lives instead of being spent on feeding an addiction.

"The Quit to Win Challenge stop-smoking program will be geared to youth living in several of Nunavut's Inuit communities, and to youth living in New Brunswick's Eel River Bar First Nations community.

"Canada's government will also invest up to $261,800 over two years in the For Youth by Youth Trainer Training Program, which will empower Nunavummiut youth to help their peers quit smoking."

Aglukkaq said the youth training program will be led by community health representatives, nurses and teachers, who will train 32 youth in 16 communities.

She said the youth trainers will learn how to help their peers to avoid and quit smoking through various community activities.

"Canada's government has made significant progress on tobacco control in recent years, and community-based initiatives like Quit to Win and For Youth by Youth Trainer Training Program will continue to improve upon that progress.

"Our First Nations and Inuit partners and leaders will have a key role to play in organizing programs that meet the needs of their communities.

"These are programs that address the issues of smoke-free spaces, youth smoking and access to tobacco products."