The Annual School Competition in memory of the late Dr. Marcus, in collaboration with the Israel Cancer Association (ICA), Shefi - the Psychology and Counseling Unit of the Ministry of Education and the League against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, was held on Wednesday, 30 May 2012, on the eve of World No Tobacco Day.
Dr. Marcus who served as the Chairman of the League against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases and was extremely active in smoking prevention and cessation, first initiated this competition 14 years ago, and the tradition has continued through to this day.
This competition summed up a year of broad-based tobacco prevention activity in dozens of schools, promoting awareness about the hazards of smoking and smoking cessation, and in some schools the subject was expanded to include "steps to a healthy life". ICA has been active throughout the school year in schools across Israel, and delivers hundreds of lectures, conducts a myriad of activities, and distributes informational materials on smoking.
The students participating in the program learn not only about the harmful effects and dangers involved in smoking, but also how to make an impact and become leaders in introducing change within their surrounding environment, among their families, friends and the community.
At the closing ceremony, the teens, along with their school teachers and guidance counselors, presented projects related to the subject that included highly creative drawings, art installations and video clips that required a tremendous amount of time and effort.