State Leaders Urged to Support Higher Tobacco Taxes, Other Tobacco Prevention Initiatives
WASHINGTON, March 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids in Tennessee will take center stage in the fight against tobacco on March 24 as they join thousands of young people nationwide for the 15(th) annual Kick Butts Day. More than 1,000 events are planned in all 50 states and the District of Columbia (for a list of local events see below).
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Sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Kick Butts Day is an annual celebration of youth leadership and activism in the fight against tobacco use. Kids are sending two powerful messages on Kick Butts Day: They want the tobacco companies to stop targeting them with marketing for cigarettes and other tobacco products, and they want elected leaders to do more to protect them from tobacco.
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The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and other public health advocates are calling on elected officials to support proven measures to reduce tobacco use and its devastating toll. As states struggle with record budget deficits, state leaders should increase tobacco taxes both to prevent kids from smoking and to raise revenue to balance budgets and fund critical programs. States should also enact smoke-free air laws that apply to all workplaces and public places and implement well-funded tobacco prevention and cessation programs.
"On Kick Butts Day, kids are standing up to the tobacco companies, and elected officials should stand with them by supporting proven tobacco prevention measures," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "We know what works to reduce smoking and other tobacco use. Every state should implement these proven solutions, including higher tobacco taxes, well-funded tobacco prevention programs and smoke-free air laws."
Tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable death in the United States, killing more than 400,000 people and costing $96 billion in health care bills each year. While the nation has made significant progress in reducing youth smoking, 20 percent of high school students still smoke.
In Tennessee, tobacco use claims 9,700 lives and costs $2.16 billion in health care bills each year. Currently, 25.5 percent of the state's high school students smoke, and 28,800 kids try cigarettes for the first time each year.
On Kick Butts Day, kids turn the tables on Big Tobacco with events that range from "They put WHAT in a cigarette?" demonstrations to mock-funerals for the Marlboro Man to rallies at state capitols. Activities in Tennessee include (all events are on March 24 unless otherwise noted):
STAR Teens at Hickman County High and East High in Centerville will watch the mayor sign an official proclamation officially marking the day Kick Butts Day. Students will also play trivia to learn about the dangers of tobacco use. Time: 12 PM. Location: 1645 Bulldog Boulevard, Centerville. Contact: Teresa Gregory (615) 418-4654.
Project S.W.A.T. (Students Working Against Tobacco), the Roane County Health Department and the Roane County Anti-Drug Coalition in Rockwood will visit local tobacco retailers to check their compliance with tobacco laws. Time: 4 PM. Location: Roane County Sheriff's Office, 1362 N. Gateway Avenue, Rockwood. Contact: Donna Raines (865) 354-1220.
At David Crockett High School in Jonesborough, students in each wellness class will view a presentation about the hazardous chemicals in cigarettes. Time: 7:45 AM. Location: 684 Old Street, Route 34, Jonesborough. Contact: Kathy Loyd (423) 434-4921.
Youth from the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Memphis and the Memphis/Shelby County Health Department will lead a "Take it to the Streets" event by dressing up as Big Tobacco executives and apologizing for manipulative practices. Students will also carry signs to spread the tobacco use prevention message. Time: 4 PM. Location: 990 College Park, Memphis. Contact: Alicia Peterson (901) 857-1724.
Note to the media: For a list of Kick Butts Day events in Tennessee, visit www.kickbuttsday.org/events. Additional information about tobacco, including state-by-state statistics, can be found at www.tobaccofreekids.org.
SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
