Florida Kids 'Kick Butts' on March 24

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Mar 18, 2010, 01:44 ET

State Leaders Urged to Support Higher Tobacco Taxes, Other Tobacco Prevention Initiatives

WASHINGTON, March 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids in Florida will take center stage in the fight against tobacco on March 24 as they join thousands of young people nationwide for the 15th 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.

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 Florida, tobacco use claims 28,600 lives and costs $6.32 billion in health care bills each year. Currently, 14.3 percent of the state's high school students smoke, and 80,600 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 Florida include (all events are on March 24 unless otherwise noted):

At the Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, the Palm Beach County Health Department will display 88 pairs of shoes to represent the 88 lives lost each day in Florida from tobacco and secondhand smoke. Time: 11:30 AM. Location: 4751 Main Street, Jupiter. Contact: Janiece Davis (561) 578-1909.

The Williston Middle School Students Working Against Tobacco (S.W.A.T.) team will host a talent night to spread the tobacco use prevention message to students at their school. Time: 7 PM. Location: 20550 NE 42nd Place, Williston. Contact: Annie Battles (352) 219-8011.

On March 27, the Lake County Health Department and Students Working Against Tobacco (S.W.A.T.) will display 88 pairs of shoes to represent the 88 lives lost each day in from tobacco and secondhand smoke at the annual Florida Black Bear Festival in Umatilla. Time: 9 AM. Location: Caldwell Park, Off of Hwy 19 North. Contact: Amber Degeorge (352) 357-1668.

On March 27, the Port Charlotte Town Center and the Charlotte County Students Working Against Tobacco (S.W.A.T.) will have a booth set up with displays, presentations and giveaways about the dangers of tobacco use. Time: 11 AM. Location: 1441 Tamiami Trail, Charlotte. Contact: Melissa Peacock (941) 833-3050, x2784.

Three Students Working Against Tobacco (S.W.A.T.) chapters from East Gadsden High School, Havana Middle School, and Gadsden Central Academy, along with the Area Health Education Center and the Gadsden County Tobacco Free Partnership will set up booths outside the Wal-Mart in Quincy to educate the community about the dangers of tobacco use. Time: 3 PM. Location: 1940 Pat Thomas Parkway, Quincy. Contact: Jenn Mauck (443) 254-4298.

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.

SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids