Marking World No Tobacco Day, the Annual School Competition on Tobacco Prevention, in memory of the late Dr. Marcus, was held on Wednesday June 2, 2014, in collaboration with the Israel Cancer Association (ICA), Shefi - the the Psychology and Counseling Unit of the Ministry of Education - and the League against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases.
Dr. Marcus served as Chairman of the League against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases and invested tremendous efforts in promoting smoking prevention and cessation. His endeavors included the launch of this competition 15 years ago. Members of the Marcus family honored the competition with their presence, as did Dr. Zohar Mor of the League against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, representatives of Shefi - the Psychology and Counseling Unit of the Ministry of Education - and ICA representatives.
Numerous schools from across Israel took part in this competition and eight schools reached the finals, held at ICA Headquarters.
This competition summed up a year of extensive activity in schools on smoking, its harmful effects, and smoking cessation; in some schools the subject was expanded to include "healthful behaviors": proper nutrition, physical activity and other components of a healthy lifestyle.
The ICA is active in schools across Israel throughout the school year, and delivers thousands of free lectures, activities and public information materials on the health hazards of smoking.
This year, the ICA in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Shefi (the Psychology and Counseling Unit of the Ministry of Education), developed unique learning kits bearing the slogan "Clearing the Smoke Screen".
The kits are geared towards children and pre-pubescent teens - sixth graders.
At the closing ceremony, the teens presented their projects along with their teachers and guidance counselors; a great deal of thought, creativity and time went into these presentations, which included drawings, installations, and video clips.
The first-prize winners were:
Dar Elhikma Junior High School, Lod;
Or Etzion Yeshiva, Kiryat Malachi;
El Sayad Primary School, Beer Sheva;
Yachdav Primary School, Beer Sheva;
Netaim Primary School, Ramat Gan