Oklahoma Kids to 'Kick Butts' on March 16
State Leaders Urged to Make the Next Generation Tobacco-Free
State Leaders Urged to Make the Next Generation Tobacco-Free
WASHINGTON, March 11, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids in Oklahoma will stand up to Big Tobacco on March 16 as they join thousands of young people nationwide for Kick Butts Day. More than 1,000 events are planned across the United States and around the world for this annual day of youth activism, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (See below for a list of local events.)
On Kick Butts Day, kids demand that tobacco companies stop marketing deadly products to them and encourage elected officials to help reduce youth tobacco use.
This year, Kick Butts Day is focusing attention on the outrageous marketing tactics tobacco companies still use to target youth. These tactics include:
Nationwide, tobacco companies spend $9.6 billion a year – over one million dollars every hour – to market tobacco products. In Oklahoma, tobacco companies spend $181 million annually on marketing efforts.
"On Kick Butts Day, kids stand up to the tobacco industry and all of us, especially our elected officials, should stand with them," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "We've made amazing progress in reducing youth smoking and can make the next generation tobacco-free. Elected officials in every state should help reach that goal by supporting proven strategies to prevent youth tobacco use, including higher tobacco taxes, strong smoke-free laws, prevention programs and raising the tobacco age to 21."
In Oklahoma, tobacco use claims 7,500 lives and costs $1.62 billion in health care bills each year. Currently, 18.5 percent of Oklahoma's high school students smoke.
On Kick Butts Day, kids join in creative events that range from classroom activities about the harmful ingredients in cigarettes to rallies at state capitols.
In Oklahoma, activities include:
Youth at the Tinker Youth Center on Tinker Air Force Base will reveal the deadly effects of tobacco by creating and displaying tombstones at the entrance of the center. Time: 2 PM. Location: 4460 McNarney Avenue, Tinker Air Force Base. Contact: Janice Dojcak (405) 834-1137.
The OSDH Center for the Advancement of Wellness will hold a trivia event at the Oklahoma State Department of Health. Times: 8:30 AM. Location: 1000 N.E. 10th Street, Oklahoma City. Contact: OSDH Center for the Advancement of Wellness (405) 271-3619.
The Fort Sill School Age Center Youth will take a stand against tobacco with a kickball tournament and educational games at the Fort Sill School Age Center. Time: 4 PM. Location: 6599 Lucas Avenue, Fort Sill. Contact: Robin Garrett (580) 583-9731.
On March 30, Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) will host a Kick Butts 5K walk/run family event at Rattan Public School to raise awareness about tobacco use in the community. The event will be hosted in partnership with the Turning Point Coalition and TSET Healthy Living Program. Time: 2:15 PM. Location: 110 West Main Street, Rattan. Contact: Vicki Brandon (580) 298-7069.
On April 2, Jackson County Tobacco Education Committee and Jackson County Community Health Action Team will host a 2nd annual kickball tournament at City of Altus Ballpark to celebrate tobacco-free living. Time: 8:45 AM. Location: Katy Drive, Altus. Contact: Victoria Cleveland (806) 559-6845.
All events are on March 16 unless otherwise indicated. For a full list of Kick Butts Day activities in Oklahoma, visit 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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