"Young and Alcohol Free" Animated GIF Design Contest raises awareness of alcohol-related harm (with photo)
******************************************************************************************
Dr Chan was speaking at the prize presentation ceremony for the "Young and Alcohol Free" Animated GIF (graphic interchange format) Design Contest organised by the Department of Health (DH) to raise young people's awareness of alcohol-related harm.
Speaking about alcohol-related harm, Dr Chan stressed that alcohol has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen (cancer-causing to humans) by the World Health Organization (WHO). Alcohol particularly affects the developing brain in children and adolescents, including impairing the memory and affecting the development of the nervous system as well as reducing self-control ability.
"The DH has a duty to protect vulnerable groups, in particular minors who are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of alcohol use. In addition to strengthening public education, the DH supports the use of legal instruments to prohibit the commercial sale and supply of alcoholic beverages to people aged under 18," said Dr Chan.
Aiming to increase young people's awareness of alcohol-related harm and encourage them to lead an alcohol-free lifestyle, the DH launched the "Young and Alcohol Free" publicity campaign last year and the GIF design contest is one of the key initiatives of the campaign. Submissions were invited in March this year and nearly 200 animated GIF entries were received under two categories, namely the Family Category for local primary school students along with their parents, and the Secondary School Category for students from secondary schools. Prizes in each category, including the Best Animated GIF Award, the Most Popular Award and the Most Active Participating School Award, were presented at today's ceremony.
Other officiating guests included Legislative Council Member (Medical), Dr Pierre Chan; Lecturer of Film and Media Arts, Academy of Film, School of Communication, Hong Kong Baptist University, Mr Chan Long-to; and other officials from the DH and the Education Bureau.
A complete list of all award winners is available on the DH's "Change for Health" website. For details, please visit www.change4health.gov.hk/en/alcohol_aware/youngandalcoholfree/gifcontest/index.html.
Ends/Saturday, June 3, 2017
Issued at HKT 16:44
Issued at HKT 16:44
NNNN
Photo
