MPP honours McMaster tobacco awareness group

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Johnson_Marsales.jpg” caption=”(L-R) Marian Johnson accepts the Heather Crowe award from Hamilton West MPP Judy Marsales. Photo credit: Christine MacLean”]Fourth year humanities student Marian Johnson said she was “honoured and ecstatic” at being recognized for her work with Leave the Pack Behind after receiving the Heather Crowe award today from Hamilton West MPP Judy Marsales.

The Heather Crowe Award is a provincial award recognizing groups and individuals who have made considerable contributions toward educating people about the dangers of smoking. The award is named for Heather Crowe, who developed lung cancer from second-hand smoke during her years of work as a waitress. Her story is relayed in public service announcements that are shown regularly on television.

McMaster's coordinator of health education Debra Earl, was impressed by Johnson's dedication as McMaster's campus program director for the Leave the Pack Behind initiative, and nominated her for the award.

When Johnson is asked what inspired her to devote her efforts to tobacco awareness she puts Heather Crowe at the top of her list, but she also lists her aunt, who, as a nurse studying the effects of smoking, encouraged Johnson to join Leave The Pack Behind.

Johnson stresses that Leave the Pack Behind is not an anti-smoking organization, a popular misconception. Instead, Leave The Pack Behind's goal is to promote tobacco awareness. The group wants to help smokers to understand the ramifications of their actions on the people around them. If a smoker desires to quit Leave The Pack Behind offers counseling and strategies to help lead this person to success. Johnson said she and the other members of Leave The Pack Behind are willing to “listen and just talk to people about smoking.”

In addition to Johnson's individual award, McMaster's student organizers of Leave The Pack Behind received a Heather Crowe group award for their efforts on campus.

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[img_inline align="right" src="http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Johnson_Marsales.jpg" caption="(L-R) Marian Johnson accepts the Heather Crowe award from Hamilton West MPP Judy Marsales. Photo credit: Christine MacLean"]Fourth year humanities student Marian Johnson said she was "honoured and ecstatic" at being recognized for her work with Leave the Pack Behind after receiving the Heather Crowe award today from Hamilton West MPP Judy Marsales.<br />
<br />
<p>The Heather Crowe Award is a provincial award recognizing groups and individuals who have made considerable contributions toward educating people about the dangers of smoking. The award is named for Heather Crowe, who developed lung cancer from second-hand smoke during her years of work as a waitress. Her story is relayed in public service announcements that are shown regularly on television.<br />
<br />
<p>McMaster&#039;s coordinator of health education Debra Earl, was impressed by Johnson&#039;s dedication as McMaster&#039;s campus program director for the Leave the Pack Behind initiative, and nominated her for the award.<br />
<br />
<p>When Johnson is asked what inspired her to devote her efforts to tobacco awareness she puts Heather Crowe at the top of her list, but she also lists her aunt, who, as a nurse studying the effects of smoking, encouraged Johnson to join Leave The Pack Behind. <br />
<br />
<p>Johnson stresses that Leave the Pack Behind is not an anti-smoking organization, a popular misconception.  Instead, Leave The Pack Behind&#039;s goal is to promote tobacco awareness. The group wants to help smokers to understand the ramifications of their actions on the people around them. If a smoker desires to quit Leave The Pack Behind offers counseling and strategies to help lead this person to success. Johnson said she and the other members of Leave The Pack Behind are willing to "listen and just talk to people about smoking."<br />
<br />
<p>In addition to Johnson&#039;s individual award, McMaster&#039;s student organizers of Leave The Pack Behind received a Heather Crowe group award for their efforts on campus.<br />

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