Hawai'i Kids 'Kick Butts' on March 24

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Mar 18, 2010, 01:49 ET

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

WASHINGTON, March 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids in Hawai'i 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 Hawai'i, tobacco use claims 1,100 lives and costs $336 million in health care bills each year. Currently, 11.3 percent of the state's high school students smoke, and 5,900 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 Hawai'i include (all events are on March 24 unless otherwise noted):

On March 23, Keaau High School in Keaau will host a Kick Butts Day carnival where kids will learn about the dangers of tobacco use through games, trivia contests and educational displays. Time: All Day. Location: 16-725 Keaau-Pahoa Road. Contact: Vanessa Kekahuna (808) 756-0934.

On March 25, students at Hilo High School will participate in a Kick Butts Day rally to spread the tobacco use prevention message and to get excited about being smoke-free. Time: 12:30 PM. Location: 556 Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo. Contact: Jay Ihara (808) 961-5536.

The Boys and Girls Club of the Big Island in Keaau will host a Kick Butts Day carnival to celebrate a smoke-free lifestyle through games, trivia contests and educational displays. Time: 2 PM. Location: 16-565 Keaau-Pahoa Road. Contact: Holly Desha (808) 640-6036.

Pahoa High and Intermediate School will host a Kick Butts Day carnival for students to learn about the dangers of using tobacco products through games and educational displays. Time: 10:15 AM. Location: 15-3038 Puna Road, Pahoa. Contact: Rose Bricker (808) 640-1034.

The Boys and Girls Club of the Big Island-Hilo Club will display 1,100 tombstones in the gymnasium to represent the 1,100 Hawaiians who die from tobacco-related illnesses each year. Time: 2 PM. Location: 100 Kamakahonu Street, Hilo. Contact: Vanessa Kekahuna (808) 756-0934.

Note to the media: For a list of Kick Butts Day events in Hawai'i, 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