January 17, 2006

McGuinty Government Gives Heather Crowe Award To Local Restaurant

‘ Smokeless Joe’ proves going smoke free can be good for business

TORONTO — Health Promotion Minister Jim Watson today gave the first-ever Heather Crowe Award for individuals and organizations that promote a smoke-free Ontario to J. Sergei Sawchyn. A Toronto businessman, Sawchyn opened Smokeless Joe as a smoke-free bar in 1996 — eight years before the city introduced legislation banning smoking in bars.

“J. Sergei Sawchyn ’s leadership at a time when hardly anyone else in the bar industry would even dream of going smoke-free exemplifies what the Heather Crowe Award is all about,” said Watson. “Smokeless Joe demonstrated that smoke-free bars could be competitive, successful businesses.”

In 2001, Sawchyn sold Smokeless Joe to its current owner, Joe Sacco, who continued to operate the bar as a smoke-free establishment. On June 1, 2004, Toronto passed a no smoking by-law prohibiting smoking in all Toronto bars. Smokeless Joe is now in its tenth year of business and still going strong.

“I’m grateful that the Ontario government has chosen to recognize Smokeless Joe for offering its customers a smoke-free environment well before the city made it a requirement,” said Sawchyn. “As a non-smoker and someone who discouraged smoking, I thought it was the right thing to do for my customers.”

The McGuinty government created the Heather Crowe Award to recognize individuals and organizations across Ontario who have made a significant contribution to tobacco control efforts on a local level. In 2002, Ottawa-area waitress Heather Crowe was diagnosed with lung cancer due to exposure to second-hand smoke in the workplace. Since her diagnosis, Heather has become a tireless advocate to ban smoking in the workplace and in public places.

“I invite all Ontarians to nominate individuals and organizations in their area for this award, and to forward these nominations to their MPP before January 27,” added Watson. Nomination information can be obtained from MPP offices and on the Ministry of Health Promotion website.

Smoking kills 16,000 Ontarians each year and costs Ontario’s economy at least $1.7 billion in health care costs. Exposure to second-hand smoke causes about 425 deaths in Ontario each year, not including exposure in the workplace.

The Smoke-Free Ontario Act will prohibit smoking in all enclosed workplaces and enclosed public places in the province effective May 31, 2006.

The Ministry of Health Promotion was established in June 2005 to improve and deliver programs that contribute to healthy living and wellness in this province. Key priority areas include the Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy, healthy eating and physical activity, injury prevention and mental health.

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For further information:

Rui Manuel Estevão
Minister’s Office
416-326-8497

Julie Rosenberg
Ministry of Health Promotion
416-326-4833

Version française disponible

WHO IS SMOKELESS JOE?

J. Sergei (Smokeless Joe) Sawchyn

J. Sergei Sawchyn grew up in Regina and has memories of attending Regina Pats games in an arena so filled with smoke that the view of the ice was obscured. · He was general manager of the Winnipeg Ballet from 1964 until the early 1970s and dealt with tobacco companies seeking sponsorship opportunities. · After moving to Ottawa, he appeared together with skier Ken Reid at a House of Commons committee meeting to speak out against tobacco sponsorship of sports and the arts. · He moved to Toronto and bought the building on John Street in which Smokeless Joe is located. · In 1996, he opened Smokeless Joe, having renovated the lower level of the building. · Smokeless Joe flourished as a haven for nonsmokers who wanted to enjoy their leisure time in a smoke-free environment. · Sawchyn sold the bar five years ago to Joe Sacco, who has run it successfully as a smoke-free establishment ever since.

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For further information:

Rui Manuel Estevão
Minister’s Office
416-326-8497

Julie Rosenberg
Ministry of Health Promotion
416-326-4833

Version française disponible

THE HEATHER CROWE AWARD

On December 16, 2005, the McGuinty government created the Heather Crowe Award in honour of Ottawa-area waitress Heather Crowe, a non-smoker who 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, she has traveled to many municipalities in Ontario and across Canada to advocate for improved second-hand smoke by-laws.

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

Eligibility

To qualify, individuals or groups must reside within an Ontario municipal constituency. Nominees must have demonstrated leadership in tobacco control in the areas of youth prevention, protection from second-hand smoke or smoking cessation. For example, the award could be awarded to:

• An individual 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

How to Nominate

Members of the public may submit nominations to their local MPP. Up to five individuals or organizations from each constituency will receive a Heather Crowe Award. The deadline for nominations is January 27, 2006.

For more information and to download the nomination form, go to: www.mhp.gov.on.ca/english/news/121605-nomination_form.pdf

Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy

Tobacco-related diseases cost the Ontario economy more than $2.6 billion in lost productivity each year and account for at least 500,000 hospital days. The government is investing in the most comprehensive Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy in the province’s history, placing Ontario amongst the leading jurisdictions in North America in tobacco control. The Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy will improve the health of all Ontarians by:

• Preventing children and youth from starting to smoke
• Helping Ontarians quit smoking
• Protecting Ontarians from exposure to second-hand smoke

The government has committed $50 million in 2005/06 for the Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy. Existing programs are being expanded and new and innovative programs are being funded.

Bill 164 (Smoke-Free Ontario Act)

Smoking will be prohibited in all enclosed workplaces and enclosed public places in Ontario as of May 31, 2006. The legislation will also strengthen measures to ensure only those 19 years of age and older can buy cigarettes and will phase out the display of tobacco products, with a complete display ban beginning May 31, 2008.

The new tobacco control legislation, to be called the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, received third and final reading on June 8, 2005 and Royal Assent on June 13, 2005.

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For further information:

Rui Manuel Estevão
Minister’s Office
416-326-8497

Julie Rosenberg
Ministry of Health Promotion
416-326-4833

Version française disponible