The winners of the third annual EU Health Prize for Journalists were announced yesterday in Brussels. For the first time in its three-year history, a special prize was awarded for entries on the subject of smoking cessation. Shortlisted from 32 entries on the topic, the winner was revealed as Monica Cetera for her web article "I´ve come here to have my teeth treated, not to quit smoking" which details an unpleasant but lesser known harmful effect of smoking - poor oral health. The article also illustrates the financial costs associated with smoking.
"Journalists play an essential role in transmitting health information messages and empowering people to take control of their health", said John Dalli, EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy. "This special prize has been created to recognise those journalists who stand out from the crowd in their approach to tackling such a critical health issue as smoking cessation."
Commenting on the winning entry of the special prize, Dalli said, "I would like to congratulate the winner in this Smoking Cessation Health Prize. Journalists play a key role in reaching out to citizens and informing them on smoking prevention and tobacco use. This special prize has stimulated awareness and debate on smoking cessation messages across Europe".
The creation of a special prize in this area complements the considerable efforts of the European Commission to promote the smoking cessation message across Europe. It follows the successful launch of their innovative "˜Ex-Smokers are Unstoppable´ campaign in June last year. The campaign inspires smokers to quit by celebrating and reinforcing the rewards for the Ex-Smoker, rather than by focusing solely on the dangers to health.
Targeting smokers between 24 and 34 years old, the three-year campaign includes a website (www.exsmokers.eu) in all EU languages, 27 national Facebook pages, multiple pan-European events and a collective of real-life aspirational Ex-Smokers as campaign ambassadors. Crucial practical help is also available through iCoach, a state-of-the-art online health tool accessed free through the campaign website.
Support for the three-year campaign has been overwhelming with over a million unique visitors accessing its social media pages, and 161, 156 registrants to the iCoach service in the first 6 months. With further activities planned throughout 2012, the campaign looks set to inspire an ever-growing European audience of smokers.
In the main competition, Ben Hirschler and Kate Kelland, from the United Kingdom, won first prize overall for their article on antimicrobial resistance, "When the drugs don´t work", published by Reuters, that puts the spotlight on the emerging healthcare disaster of "super-bugs" "´ a subject where there is lack of awareness, even amongst healthcare professionals. Second place went to Rita Makarész from Hungary for her article "The cheapest antidepressant". This article, published on the health portal www.orvostkeresek.hu, highlights the benefits of exercise as a means to prevent depression. Mateja Gro?elj, from Slovenia, came third for her article "From Lojze to Ludvika", published in the Vecer Weekly newspaper. This article on the most frequent cancer amongst women "´ breast cancer "´ explores the subject from the angle of a woman undergoing a pioneering breast reconstruction operation.
The EU Health Prize for Journalists rewards the work of journalists across Europe who have raised awareness on healthcare and patients´ rights issues.
For more information please visit
Ex-Smokers are Unstoppable
EU Health Prize for Journalists
http://ec.europa.eu/health-eu/journalist_prize/2011/index_en.htm
The Public Health Portal of the European Union
The Public Website of the European Commission
http://ec.europa.eu/health/tobacco/policy/index en.htm
