Giving a fresh breath to youth empowerment

breath can have social and psychological effects on sufferers, including low self-confidence and low self-esteem, and it should be taken seriously.

A recent study by Malaysian dental stu- dents found that one in every two people suffers from clinical oral malodour, or bad breath. Worldwide figures indicate that 22 per cent to 50 per cent of the global population suffer from moderate bad breath.

Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (LUCT) and Guardian Malaysia recently kicked off a creative youth empowerment campaign, “Fresh Breath for Malaysia”, in conjunction with the introduction of Guardian’s new mouthwash range.

To kick off the campaign, more than 200 LUCT students were briefed on Guardian Malaysia and its mouthwash range, together with oral care challenges in Malaysia.

Guardian Malaysia Group Health and Beauty product manager Michelle Yeap said: “We created this campaign in collaboration with LUCT to empower youth to give their own perspective on real world issues.

“We hope that students will use this platform to start a conversation on oral care, specifically the problem associated with bad breath, and offer creative and positive insights on how to overcome a condition that affects up to 50 per cent of the population.”

The campaign hopes to empower LUCT students to creatively interpret the theme as a showcase of positive energy towards the nation while encouraging better oral hygiene through visual expression and multimedia. A total of RM14,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to the top ten students across two categories.

Shortlisted finalists will share the rationale for their work before more than 500 of their peers before online voting begins.

LUCT Industry Empowerment senior vice-president Datuk Raja Aznil Raja Hisham said the university and its students, which come from 160 countries, could give a different perspective to the campaign.

“The multicultural milieu on our campus gives rise to work that has the depth and breadth of creative global thinking and implementation.

“Our students can approach this interesting campaign with deep insight into their own nation and the quirks of its people, or they can view it from the perspective of different cultures and practices.

“What our students gain from this collaborative campaign with Guardian Malaysia is industry exposure, which prepares them for their future careers,” he added.

Shortlisted entries will be uploaded to the Guardian Malaysia and Limkokwing Facebook pages for online voting later this month.