(Brampton) - One of the most recognized health organizations in Canada, the Centre for Health Promotion at the University of Toronto, has jointly nominated Brampton, Caledon, Mississauga, Toronto and the Regions of Peel and York for the 2001 World Health Organization's "Clean The Air" award.

"These municipalities together represent the most populated and diverse communities in Canada," said Dr. Irving Rootman, Director, Centre for Health Promotion, University of Toronto. "Since 1996, they have been working collaboratively on tobacco control, protecting the health of approximately four million people who live and work in this area."

In 1999/2000 the above municipalities enacted common smoke-free by-laws, and all workplaces and most public places became smoke-free immediately. Working collaboratively means that businesses within these municipalities are treated equally, providing a level playing field across the GTA.

"The Centre for Health Promotion applauds the municipalities for their efforts in developing and implementing one of the most comprehensive tobacco reduction strategies in North America," said Dr. Rootman. "The strategies of prevention, protection and cessation ensure the health of residents and employees living and working in this large diverse community is being protected."

Peel, York and Toronto also initiated a number of innovative tobacco awareness projects including:

• Canada's largest smoke-free homes mass media campaign "Breathing Space".
• A comprehensive Chinese tobacco reduction campaign. For the first time in North America, a series of educational materials along with media ads (television, radio and print) were developed in both Cantonese and Mandarin, targeting over two million Chinese-Canadians living in southwestern Ontario.
• The "Not to Kids" campaign, one of the largest campaigns targeting tobacco retail sales to minors in Canada.
• Participation in the "Ontario Quit to Win" contest, a provincial contest that encourages smokers to try and quit smoking for a month.

The World Health Organization is a United Nations agency defined by its Constitution as the directing and co-ordinating authority on international health work. Its aim is "the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health." The World Health Organization is located in Washington, DC.

Region of Peel, the municipalities of Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga, as well as York Region and Toronto, have joined forces to promote the smoke-free by-laws within the Greater Toronto Area.