Sisler Teens Against Nicotine and Drugs, (S.T.A.N.D.)

Sisler Teens Against Nicotine and Drugs, (S.T.A.N.D.) began its work in November of 2006 gathering over 800 signatures from students in the school calling on the administration to ban tobacco use on school property. With the assistance of the media and other stakeholders S.T.A.N.D. was proud to show their support when the Winnipeg School Division adopted a tobacco ban on all of their property beginning in September 2007.

In January of 2007 S.T.A.N.D. members began working with the Manitoba Lung Association and the Nor’ West Community Center to bring the ‘Not On Tobacco’ smoking cessation program to Sisler High School.

In the spring of 2007 S.T.A.N.D. continued its work, setting up informational booths at the Teddy Bear’s Picnic and again at a Winnipeg Goldeyes game. S.T.A.N.D. used these opportunities to gather names on a petition calling for a province wide ban on tobacco use on all publicly funded educational property. It was also in the spring of 2007 that S.T.A.N.D. OUT was formed. This new group began presenting a multimedia, anti-tobacco message to younger students throughout the north region of the Winnipeg School Division. In June of 2007 the Manitoba Youth Volunteer Awards committee recognized the work of S.T.A.N.D. with an award of excellence for their activism and work on behalf of Manitoba teens.

On May 28th, 2008 the executive of S.T.A.N.D. met with both the Minister of Education, Citizenship and Youth and the Minister of Healthy Living to present their petition and begin, in earnest, their work to bring Manitoba in line with many other Canadian provinces in the battle against tobacco. On June 20th approximately 40 Sisler students attended the Red River Exhibition grounds to hand out anti-tobacco materials and ‘Say No to Tobacco Day’ buttons to all who attended the fair. Manitoba Cancer Care, the Manitoba Lung Association, the Manitoba Tobacco Reduction Alliance, and Manitoba Health all supported S.T.A.N.D. in their work that day.

S.T.A.N.D. teens believe that the issue of providing young people with a tobacco free world is extremely important. Even as this year’s executive begins finalizing their work for this school year, the younger members of the group are making plans for a national petition to call on our federal government to take stronger action to protect young people. This group of young people is determined and will not give up the good fight.