RESEARCHERS at UBC’s School of Nursing and St. Paul’s Hospital want to remind smokers to butt out on Wednesday. World No-Tobacco Day is May 31. It’s an annual event sponsored by the World Health Organization to call attention to the seriousness of the impact of tobacco on health. This year’s theme is Entertainment and Tebacco Promotion . — Countering the Deception, which aims to pave the way: for national and global policy action banning the advertising and promo- tion of tobacco. According to information released by the School of Nursing last week, one tobac- co industry strategy is to frame smoking as a decision freely made by individuals. But the strategy assuines that people make decisions uninfluenced by their envi- ronment, including industry advertising and marketing. Evidence suggests that peo- ples’ decisions-to smoke are enhanced by advertising and promotion of tobacco, espe- cially in the entertainment, spots and music industries. HEALTH The researchers are cur- rendy conducting a study to evaluate the usefulness of a smoking cessation program designed for elective surgical patients. The project, funded by the National Cancer Institute of Canada, through funds raised by the Canadian Cancer Society, represents an innovative attempt to reach out to smokers and to assist them in becoming free of the habit. Dr. Pamela Ratner, assis- tant professor-at the nursing school and principal investi- gator of the study notes: “If only a small proportion of the world’s 1.1 billion smok- ers were able to stop, the jong-term heaith and cco- nomic benefits would be immense.” It is never too fate to stop smoking. Smokers who quit by their early thirties avoid almost all of the risk of pre- mature death from smoking, and there are clear health benefits, including a longer life, even for those who quit at age 60 and above. Dr. Ratner was recendy awarded a Medical Research Council of Canada, Health Research Scholarship to con- tinue her research on tobacco addiction, control and pre- vention. Take a hike for Huntington’s today IF you're thinking. about hitting the trail today for a hike;-winy not do it in did of a good cause? The Huntington Society of. » Canada’s + : Huntington’s 2000” “Hike-4-- fa Can in place in L yon Park - “today, May 28, starting at 9 MM eS . ’ Huntington: disease is an inherited . brain: disorder with . ‘devastating . effects -on. both mind and body. It touches the - life: of one. in every. 1,000. Canadians: . ; the prime of life, berveen 30 and 45 years of age. Over its lengthy course, HD leads inevitably to toral _ incapacitation and eventual death. Every child of 2 parent with HD has a 50% chance of developing the disease. There is not yet a cure for HD, and there is no effective treatment. “We've put a great deal of effort into making sure that no matter how old-you are, or what kind of shape you're in, you can come out, have a great time and contribute to a very worthy cause,” says Thoren . -Young, president of the .B.C. - chapter of the society, and the - event coordinator. - Registration for the hike begins at 9 a.m. at Lynn Canyon Park. From 10 a.m. to the hike’s start time at 10:30 there’s entertainment, clowns and a group warm-up. If you haven't already col- lected pledges for the event you can pay a $18 entry fee at the park. All proceeds from the event, sponsored in part by Lady Dynafit and 24 Hour Dynafit Health Clubs, Pacifica Papers, Polaris Pure Spring Water, and. . Delany’s in The Village, will go to support the Huntington ” Society of Canada’s programs in research, education and indi- vidual and family services. The society is a national net- work of volunteers and profes- * sionals working to find new treatments and ultimately a cure for Huntington disease, - store sours. 3 @. MONTO FRI SAMTOOPM SAT & SUN. GAM TO. 7PM - and to improve the quality of life for people with ED and their families. - D oo. ee aA Sunday, May 28, 2000 - North Shore News - 21 tobacco on Wednesday Shoppers hosts wellness evening WELLNESS is a con-. cept that should not be confused with med- ical treatment. It’s not something you should think about when you get sick, but when vou are healthy. It’s about stay- ing that way — in good physical health, paying atten- tion to physical fitness and taking care of emotional - well-being. Tomorrow evening, the Shoppers Drug Mart in Lynn Valley Centre is pro- moting the concept for women. From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., the store is hosting a Women’s Wellness & Beauty Evening. Participants can meet with = professionals —_ for demonstrations and to dis- B breast cancer awareness; & menopause /osteoporosis; B traditional Chinese medi- cine; ® naturopathic medicine; @ shiatsu massage therapy; B aromatherapy; Band self defence. The store’s Heaithwatch pharmacists will also be avail- able to discuss concerns about medications; and hair, skin, make-up and skincare line representatives will also be available for consulta- tions. The evening also includes wine and cheese, and door prizes. The event is taking place at the Lynn Valley location only, 1199: Lynn Valley Rd. Tickets are $10. For-more information, call 987-4468, ext. 19, oo Are you interested in participating in a trial comparing an investigational nonsteroidal anti- > ° inflammatory ointment, called ascomycin, with an ointment containing no medication? ~-. . REQUIREMENTS: + Infants between 3 and 23 months : Participants must be able to attend 11 visits over a 62 month period + Blood tests will be required Qualified volunteers will receive free medication and be reimbursed for study visits attended with moderate to severe eczema 875-4111 | EXT. #63712 } Organic and Natural Food Sto _. Effective Dates May 29 - June 4, 2000 3030 TEL: ~ Organi ganic ~