Like us on Kick Butts Day
Just one week from today, youth across the country will celebrate Kick
Butts Day. March 19, 2014 is a national day of activism that empowers youth to
stand out, speak up and seize control against Big Tobacco.
In Ithaca, youth will be celebrating at the Greater Ithaca Activities
Center (GIAC) on March 19 from 4-5:00 PM. This event will be an opportunity for
youth from GIAC and Southside Community Center to present projects and
information that they have learned about the dangers of tobacco use and the
deceptive marketing practices of Big Tobacco. Families are welcome! Please come
out and support the youth!
While a lot of progress has been made in tobacco control and prevention
of youth initiation, there is still more work to be done. The Communities that
Care Youth Survey taken by Tompkins County high school students shows that
cigarette use among 12th graders in the past 30 days increased from
2010 (10.5%) to 2012 (13.1%). The 2012 rate is slightly higher than the youth
smoking rate for NY State (11.9%). It is reported that 90% of current adult
smokers started before age 18, and that one-third of youth who smoke will die
prematurely of tobacco-related illness. While no one starts to smoke for the
nicotine, it can quickly become a lifelong
addiction.
During the month of March, consider organizing an event with a community
organization or school to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco use.
Encourage youth to stay tobacco-free and speak out against the deceptive
marketing practices of Big Tobacco. We need to take action now to prevent youth
from ever starting to smoke!
___________________________________________________________
Monthly
Messages are brought to you by:
Each
monthly message is provided by coalition board members. If you have further
questions or comments about this message or would like information on how to
become involved with the Community Coalition for Healthy Youth, please email ahendrix@tompkins-co.org
Thank
you in advance for forwarding this monthly message on to all of your
networks.
Community
Coalition for Healthy Youth
320
W. State/MLK Jr. Street
Ithaca
NY 14850