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For Release Tuesday, 3rd
April, 2001
PALM BEACH COUNTY,
FL - The stop smoking message takes on a life of its own when Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) get involved and create activities surrounding Kick Butts Day April 4, 2001.
SWAT met with the Board of County Commissioners and convinced them they had helped reduce tobacco use as much as 40% among middle school students and 18% with high school youth. Duly impressed with the SWAT efforts the Commission proclaimed April 4, 2001 Kick Butts Day in the hopes of helping the students increase awareness for the hazards of smoking and convince all students to resist the temptations of Big Tobacco and enjoy a tobacco-free life.
Students armed with an adult proclamation began to brainstorm on how to reach their peers. Under the direction of Bridget Locke at Gold Coast Community High School SWAT members decided to wear black and pass out black flowers to represent those who have died from tobacco related diseases. One student will be dressed as the Grim Reaper as a reminder of what is lurking for those who smoke.
At Palm Beach Lakes High School where Terri Arnold and Vera Gibson are SWAT Sponsors their students will issue DEATH badges and orange wristbands to symbolize those who have died and those who start smoking every day. A mock funeral will be conducted during lunch to emphasize that Tobacco Kills.
Other schools like Olympic Heights High School, Boca Raton High School, Atlantic High School, Woodlands Middle School, and Crestwood Middle School will host lunchtime activities that stress the dangers of tobacco use have students sign Won’t Smoke pledge cards and pass out SWAT and Truth prizes.
I am continually amazed at how creative our young people can be when it comes to counteracting the smoking message of big tobacco, commented Deborah Martel, Tobacco Prevention Coordinator for the Palm Beach County Health Department. Martel went on to say, students conceived Kick Butts Day and have done an excellent job in working toward smoking prevention among their peers. Martel added, 400,000 persons a year die from tobacco-caused diseases.
This year SWAT has partnered with the American Public Health Association to increase awareness nationally as their event takes place during National Public Health Week.
For
Immediate information please
contact:
Sarah Spence or Deborah Martel
561/586-7828 (SWAT & Tobacco)
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