WASHINGTON, March 13, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids in New York will stand up against tobacco on March 19 as they join thousands of young people nationwide for the 19th 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 50th 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 280,000 children in New York 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 50th 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 York are urging leaders to increase funding for tobacco prevention programs that protect kids and save lives.
In New York alone, tobacco use claims 23,600 lives and costs $10.4 billion in health care bills each year. Currently, 11.9 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 York include:
Students from Fox Meadow High School will host "It Starts With Me," a health fair that will feature an oncologist guest speaker to discuss the dangers of tobacco use. The fair will showcase a variety of activities and displays that will show students the effects of smoking on lungs. Time: 9:30 AM. Location: 845 Fox Meadow Road, Yorktown Heights. Contact: Patricia Gallo (914) 643-6468.
The Tioga County Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse recently hosted a "Letters of Love" writing contest for 4th- through 12th-grade students throughout the county to urge loved ones to quit smoking. A banquet will be held to announce contest winners and present awards. Time: 5 PM. Location: 6 McMaster Street, Suite 4, Owego. Contact: Christie Speciale (607) 687-6349.
Northpointe Council, Inc., the North Tonawanda Youth and Recreation Center, and the Tobacco Cessation Center of WNY will team up to host their first annual Kick Butts Day event. The event will feature anti-smoking learning stations and activities, including a pledge campaign to encourage youth to commit to be tobacco-free. Time: 5:30 PM. Location: 35 Grant Street, N. Tonawanda. Contact: Cheri Kelly (716) 909-3854.
The Madison Square Boys and Girls Club and the Madison Dolphins Swim Team will host a swimming challenge to demonstrate the impact smoking has on your lungs. The pool will be filled with giant floating cigarette-shaped objects to simulate the impact that tobacco has on athletic performance. Time: 6 PM. Location: Joel E. Smilow Clubhouse, 1665 Hoe Avenue, Bronx. Contact: Roberto Ruiz (917) 208-7351.
The Ulster Board of Cooperative Educational Services will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Surgeon General's report on tobacco use by hosting a variety of anti-smoking displays at the Ulster Career and Tech Center and the Alternative Education Center. Time: 9:15 AM. Location: 319 Broadway, Port Ewen. Contact: Margaret Short (845) 532-2802.
(Note: all events are on March 19 unless otherwise indicated.)
For a full list of Kick Butts Day events in New York, 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
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