Local Youth Groups Educate Tri-County Residents About the Harmful Effects of Tobacco on the Community
TobaccoFree303 PSAs Aim to Keep Youth and Parks Tobacco-Free
DENVER, April 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Four youth groups from within the Tri-County Health Department service area of Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas Counties in Colorado have helped write, produce and star in a series of Public Service Announcements (PSAs) that educate residents about the harmful effects of tobacco on the community.
The youth groups were given the task of creating PSAs on unique areas of focus: tobacco in parks and outdoor spaces, electronic smoking devices (such as e-cigarettes), and cheap and sweetly flavored tobacco products that appeal to youth. The youth groups that participated in this project include, Arapahoe County/CSU Extension, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver, Denver YMCA, and Englewood Leadership Academy.
"Unfortunately, tobacco companies design many of their products with children in mind hoping to establish lifelong users," said Kimberley Jones, youth development/school enrichment coordinator for the Colorado State University Extension in Arapahoe County.
This campaign is funded through an Amendment 35 grant program that is distributed by the Tri-County Health Department. In 2004 Colorado voters approved Amendment 35, a tax increase on cigarettes and other tobacco products. The revenue was designated for health care services and tobacco education to improve the health of all Coloradans.
"The increasing of use e-cigarettes and other electronic smoking devices (ESDs) among kids is a disturbing trend. There's also evidence that the vapor in ESDs can be just as deadly as traditional cigarettes," said Tri-County Health Department Executive Director John M. Douglas, Jr., M.D. "We're so proud of all the kids involved in this project that were able to demonstrate the impact that tobacco has on young people, as well as our environment."
The PSAs will be shown on local television stations and in select movies theaters in the Tri-County area through June 7, 2015. To learn more about this campaign or to view the PSAs, visit TobaccoFree303.org.
Contacts:
Erich Kirshner, Evolution Communications Agency
303.921.6733 or [email protected]
SOURCE Tri-County Health Department
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