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Release Date: 
Tuesday, 2 June 2015

Every year World No Tobacco Day is observed on May 31. This initiative aims to raise awareness of the health risks associated with tobacco use and to advocate for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption.

The City of Armadale supports smoke free environments and reducing the impact of tobacco in the community. This year we will focus on protecting local young people from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke.

To discourage smoking at and around young people, the City has installed Smoke Free artwork at three local skate parks being the Youth Activity Area on Orchard Avenue, Cross Park Skate Park in Roleystone and Forrestdale Skate Park corner of Weld Street and Armadale Road.

The artworks were created by local young people Katy-Leigh Cowrie and Jeremiah Wastell, as part of the Kick it at the YAA project.

Armadale Mayor Henry Zelones OAM JP said smoking is recognised as the largest single preventable cause of death and disease in Australia.

“As a former three pack a day smoker I was able to eventually quit a 20 year addiction, I am fully aware that smoking not only impacts on the health of the individual smoker, but exposes those around them to the dangers of second-hand smoke.

“Having personally lost four family members to smoking related diseases, I understand only too well that smoking, and even second-hand smoke, can cause serious cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, including coronary heart disease and lung cancer.

“There is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke. Breathing even a little second-hand smoke can be harmful to a person’s health.

“A smoke free environment is the only way to fully protect non-smokers, and especially young children, from the dangers of second-hand smoke,” said Mayor Zelones.

Funding has been provided through the Tobacco Control Grants Scheme through the Public Health Advocacy Institute of Western Australia, on behalf of the WA Department of Health.

For more information on smoke free environments contact the City of Armadale on 9399 0111 or visit www.armadale.wa.gov.au.

For more information on this topic contact:

Phone: (08) 9394 5000
Email: info@armadale.wa.gov.au

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Phone: (08) 9394 5000
Email: media@armadale.wa.gov.au