Background and Instructions

Heather Crowe, an Ottawa-area waitress and non-smoker, developed lung cancer after being exposed to second-hand smoke in the workplace. Heather courageously tells her story in a powerful public service announcement produced by Health Canada and aired by the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Since her diagnosis, Heather has traveled to many municipalities in Ontario and across Canada to advocate for improved second-hand smoke bylaws.

The Heather Crowe Award has been established to recognize individuals and organizations across Ontario who have made a significant contribution to tobacco control efforts on a local level.

Eligibility

The Heather Crowe Award is open to everyone – youth, adults, local organizations and groups – who have demonstrated leadership in the area of tobacco control.

In order to be considered for a Heather Crowe Award the individual or group must reside within an Ontario municipal constituency. The nominee must have shown demonstrable leadership in tobacco control in the areas of youth prevention, protection from second-hand smoke or smoking cessation.

For example, the award could be for:

• A citizen who spearheaded the development of a local bylaw to ban smoking in public places
• A former smoker who visits schools to talk to young people about the dangers of tobacco use
• A young person who advocates against youth smoking
• A group that has worked to help people quit smoking.