New Jersey Kids Will 'Kick Butts' on March 19

State Leaders Urged to Support Tobacco Prevention Initiatives

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Mar 13, 2014, 09:40 ET

WASHINGTON, March 13, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids in New Jersey will stand up against tobacco on March 19 as they join thousands of young people nationwide for the 19^th annual Kick Butts Day. More than 1,400 events are planned across the nation. (See below for a list of local events.)

Organized by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Kick Butts Day is an annual celebration of youth leadership and activism in the fight against tobacco. On Kick Butts Day, youth will encourage their peers to stay tobacco-free and educate their communities about the tobacco industry's harmful marketing practices.

This year, Kick Butts Day comes as new information reaffirms the urgent need for action. The United States is marking the 50^th anniversary of the first Surgeon General's Report on Smoking and Health, and a new Surgeon General's report released in January found that smoking is even more hazardous than previously thought. Key findings of the report include:

Each year, smoking kills 480,000 people in the U.S. and costs the nation at least $289 billion in health care bills and other economic losses.
Without urgent action to reduce smoking, 5.6 million U.S. children alive today will die prematurely from smoking-caused disease. That includes 143,000 children in New Jersey alone.
Tobacco marketing causes kids to start and continue using tobacco products.

Nationwide, tobacco companies spend $8.8 billion a year – one million dollars each hour – to market cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products. In particular, tobacco companies target youth with magazine ads, store ads and discounts, and fruit- and candy-flavored small cigars that look just like cigarettes.

"On Kick Butts Day, kids will stand up and reject Big Tobacco's manipulative marketing," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "Elected officials must stand with them by supporting proven measures to protect kids from tobacco addiction, including tobacco taxes, smoke-free laws and prevention programs. On the 50^th anniversary of the first Surgeon General's report, we need bold action to create a tobacco-free generation and end the tobacco epidemic for good."

Health advocates in New Jersey are urging state leaders to increase funding for tobacco prevention programs. New Jersey is the only state that currently spends ZERO state funds on these programs that protect kids and save lives.

In New Jersey alone, tobacco use claims 10,100 lives and costs $4.1 billion in health care bills each year. Currently, 16.1 percent of the state's high school students smoke.

On Kick Butts Day, kids turn the tables on Big Tobacco in creative ways, with events that range from small classroom activities about the harmful ingredients in cigarettes to large rallies at state capitols.

Activities in New Jersey include:

The Camden County Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse will host a "Truth About Smoking" walk at the Spot Teen Center in Voorhees. Time: 3 PM. Location: 2120 Voorhees Town Center, Voorhees. Contact: Sarah McCart (856) 427-6553.

The Garfield Prevention Coalition, New Jersey National Guard and Garfield Health Department will collaborate to educate Garfield Middle School students about tobacco through a Kick Butts Day kickball game during physical education classes. Time: 8:30 AM. Location: Garfield Middle School's gymnasium, 175 Lanza Avenue, Garfield. Contact: Stephanie Perez (201) 740-7149.

Bridgeton Municipal Alliance will host "Mr. Denby's Big Tobacco Lab" to educate youth and community members about the deadly chemical compounds and carcinogens found in cigarettes through interactive challenges. Time: 4:30 PM. Location: Dunkin Donuts, 125 South Pearl Street, Bridgeton. Contact: Karen Barnett (856) 455-1684.

Members of Robbinsville High School's Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) will educate their peers about startling tobacco statistics through posters and videos projected during lunch periods. Time: 10:30 AM. Location: 155 Robbinsville Edinburg Road, Robbinsville. Contact: Jenn Allessio (609) 462-8698.

Mahwah High School REBEL members will educate Ramapo Ridge Middle School students about the harmful effects of tobacco through interactive activities during physical education and health classes. Time: 9 AM. Location: 150 Ridge Road, Mahwah.
Contact: Joan Stewart (201) 762-2313.

(Note: all events are on March 19 unless otherwise indicated.)

For a full list of Kick Butts Day events in New Jersey, visit http://www.kickbuttsday.org/map. Additional information about tobacco, including state-by-state statistics, can be found at www.tobaccofreekids.org.

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SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids