Texas Kids Will 'Kick Butts' on March 19

WASHINGTON, March 13, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --Kids in Texas will stand up against tobacco on March 19 as they join thousands of young people nationwide for the 19^th annual Kick Butts Day. More than 1,400 events are planned across the nation. (See below for a list of local events.)

Organized by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Kick Butts Day is an annual celebration of youth leadership and activism in the fight against tobacco. On Kick Butts Day, youth will encourage their peers to stay tobacco-free and educate their communities about the tobacco industry's harmful marketing practices.

This year, Kick Butts Day comes as new information reaffirms the urgent need for action. The United States is marking the 50^th anniversary of the first Surgeon General's Report on Smoking and Health, and a new Surgeon General's report released in January found that smoking is even more hazardous than previously thought. Key findings of the report include:

• Each year, smoking kills 480,000 people in the U.S. and costs the nation at least $289 billion in health care bills and other economic losses.
• Without urgent action to reduce smoking, 5.6 million U.S. children alive today will die prematurely from smoking-caused disease. That includes 498,000 children in Texas alone.
• Tobacco marketing causes kids to start and continue using tobacco products.

Nationwide, tobacco companies spend $8.8 billion a year – one million dollars each hour – to market cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products. In particular, tobacco companies target youth with magazine ads, store ads and discounts, and fruit- and candy-flavored small cigars that look just like cigarettes.

"On Kick Butts Day, kids will stand up and reject Big Tobacco's manipulative marketing," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "Elected officials must stand with them by supporting proven measures to protect kids from tobacco addiction, including tobacco taxes, smoke-free laws and prevention programs. On the 50^th anniversary of the first Surgeon General's report, we need bold action to create a tobacco-free generation and end the tobacco epidemic for good."

In Texas alone, tobacco use claims 23,900 lives and costs $8.85 billion in health care bills each year. Currently, 17.4 percent of the state's high school students smoke.

On Kick Butts Day, kids turn the tables on Big Tobacco in creative ways, with events that range from small classroom activities about the harmful ingredients in cigarettes to large rallies at state capitols.

Activities in Texas include:

On March 15, students from Change Happens in Houston will host an '80s theme "Tobacco Has No Place, Showcase" where they will showcase their tobacco-free hobbies through dance and instruments.  A choreographed flash mob with a tobacco-free chant will serve as the event finale.  Time: 10 AM.  Location: 3018 Dowling Street, Houston.  Contact: Amyra Chapman (618) 974-1455.

On March 17, students from 21 high schools in Beaumont will host a press conference for Kick Butts Day to highlight the issuance of a proclamation by the county commissioners' court meeting for southeast Texas.  Location: Jefferson County Commissioner's Court, 4^th Floor, Jefferson County Courthouse, 1149 Pearl Street, Beaumont.  Time: 1:30 PM.  Contact: Connie Berry (409) 833-3663.

On March 19, the Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans (AAMA) will hold a Kick Butts Day rally and pledge drive in Houston.  Activities will include break dancing, sports, fashion show, crafts and fitness activities followed by a "stomp" flash mob led by a university student dance team.  Time: 1 PM.  Location: Mason Park Community Center, 541 S. 75^th Street, Houston.  Contact: Adriana Dibello (832) 984-4447.

Also March 19, girls participating in the Latinitas El Paso after school program will host guest speakers to discuss the dangers of tobacco and create a pledge wall with posters and public service announcements.  Location: 10935 Ben Crenshaw #207, El Paso.  Time: 4 PM.  Contact: Alicia Rascon (915) 219-8554.

For a full list of Kick Butts Day events in Texas, visit http://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