Florida Kids 'Kick Butts' on March 23

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Mar 21, 2011, 01:17 ET

Florida Leaders Urged to Protect Successful Tobacco Prevention Program

WASHINGTON, March 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids in Florida will take center stage in the fight against tobacco on March 23 as they join thousands of young people nationwide for the 16th annual Kick Butts Day. Hundreds of events are planned across the nation (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.

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 budget deficits, legislators 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.

In Florida, health advocates are calling on elected leaders to protect funding for tobacco prevention programs that have worked to help people quit and keep kids from smoking. In 2006, voters approved a constitutional amendment requiring that the state spend 15 percent of its annual tobacco settlement revenue on tobacco prevention, restoring funding for a program once recognized as one of the best in the nation before its budget was cut. According to recent data, Floridians are paying $1 billion less in smoking-caused health care costs and there are more than 500,000 fewer smokers in the state since the Florida Department of Health's Tobacco Free Florida (TFF) program was created by voters.

"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, 19.5 percent of high school students still smoke.

In Florida, tobacco use claims 28,600 lives and costs $6.32 billion in health care bills each year. Currently, 13.1 percent of the state's high school students smoke, and 84,300 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 carnivals to rallies at state capitols. Activities in Florida include (all events are on March 23 unless otherwise noted):

Girls Inc. of Bay County will have a pledge wall at their flag dedication and retirement ceremony in Panama City. Members and visitors will sign the walls and pledge not to use tobacco products. Special guests include Congressman Steve Southerland, Jinks Middle School Band and the Air Force Color Guard. Time: 4 p.m. Location: 1100 Fountain Avenue, Panama City. Contact: Rebecca Nelson (850) 769-6703.

On March 26, Students Working Against Tobacco Youth from Saint Lucie and Okeechobee will raise awareness about the harmful effects of candy flavored tobacco products outside Digital Domain Stadium during the New York Mets spring training game. Students will educate spectators using visual display boards, interactive games and petitions to support the "Spit Tobacco Out of Major Leagues" campaign. There will be information about cessation services for those who are interested in quitting or need. Time: 11 a.m. Location: 525 NW Peacock Boulevard, Port St. Lucie. Contact: Serena Binner (772) 618-5310.

On March 26, anti-tobacco advocate, Chad Bullock, will be host a youth extravaganza with Marion County Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) for local youth and community members in the Ocala Downtown Square. SWAT youth will educate their peers and other community members on the dangers of candy flavored tobacco products. Time: 3 p.m. Location: 2001 SE 32nd Avenue, Ocala. Contact: Jessie Driggers (352) 454-3795.

On March 26, Gadsden County Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) and the Tobacco Free Partnership will host a kickball tournament at Joe Ferolito Recreation Center in Quincy. SWAT students will distribute information about smokeless tobacco, secondhand smoke and the benefits of quitting smoking. Time: 10 a.m. Location: 122 North Graves Street, Quincy. Contact: Katie Cruikshank (813) 299-9857.

Note to the media: For a list of Kick Butts Day events in Florida, visit www.kickbuttsday.org/events. Additional information about tobacco, including state-by-state statistics, can be found at www.tobaccofreekids.org.

CONTACTS:
Kristin Brown, 202-745-5117
Ashley Rockhold, 202-296-5469

SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids