Wisconsin Kids 'Kick Butts' on March 24

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Mar 18, 2010, 01:26 ET

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

WASHINGTON, March 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin, tobacco use claims 7,200 lives and costs $2.02 billion in health care bills each year. Currently, 16.9 percent of the state's high school students smoke, and 28,100 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 Wisconsin include (all events are on March 24 unless otherwise noted):

Rock County Schools in Beloit will be promoting Kick Butts Day messages along with Wisconsin's 7/5/10 Campaign that illustrates when the state begins its smoke-free air policy. Students will also display household products that contain the same dangerous chemicals as cigarettes, such as ammonia and arsenic. Time: 8 AM. Location: 423 Bluff Street, Beloit. Contact: Debbie Fischer (608) 365-1244.

In Fort McCoy, the Army Substance Abuse Program will encourage U.S. soldiers and their families to live tobacco-free. Program counselors will be available to offer educational and promotional materials to overcome addiction or dependence upon tobacco. Time: 10 AM. Location: Fort McCoy Army Base, 1344 South 11th Avenue, Fort McCoy. Contact: Cory Zebell (608) 388-2315.

Teens Against Tobacco Use (T.A.T.U.) at Clayton Middle School in Clayton will demonstrate the cost of tobacco use in the U.S. by displaying 2,000, $100 dollar bills in the school cafeteria. Informational posters will accompany the dollar display to explain the visuals along with state tobacco facts. Time: 9 AM. Location: 221 Prentice Street, Clayton. Contact: Shana Hover (715) 418-1439.

Jackson County Kids and the Tobacco Coalition will be partnering with Jackson County Elementary Schools to conduct a t-shirt and poster contest promoting anti-tobacco messages. Winning posters will be printed and displayed around the school and community. Time: 8 AM. Location: 227 South 11th Street, Black Rivers Falls. Contact: Sarah Sexton (715) 284-4257.

La Crosse FACT group will be promoting Kick Butts Day by advertising Wisconsin's recent passage of smoke-free air legislation. Using sidewalk chalk and human billboards, the group plans to move their message around the entire county. Time: All Day. Location: La Crosse County Health Department, 300 North 4th Street. Contact: Judi Zabel (608) 386-9786.

Note to the media: For a list of Kick Butts Day events in Wisconsin, 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