Smoke Free Educational Dodge Ball Tournament
by Becky Grimes
June 05, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC (March 21, 2011) – Kids in Missouri took center stage in the fight against tobacco on March 23 as they joined thousands of young people nationwide for the 16th annual Kick Butts Day. Hundreds of events were planned across the nation (for a list of local events see below).
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 budget deficits, legislators 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, 19.5 percent of high school students still smoke.
In Missouri, tobacco use claims 9,500 lives and costs $2.13 billion in health care bills each year. Currently, 18.9 percent of the state’s high school students smoke, and 31,900 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 carnivals to rallies at state capitols. Activities in Missouri on March 23 include:
Missouri Western State University hosted a dodge ball tournament for middle school and high school students throughout the northwest region of Missouri. Along with dodge ball, the kids engaged in contests such as best team theme, name or banner with an anti-tobacco message.
ACES Junior High Students were granted the opportunity to participate in a state wide KICK BUTTS Dodge Ball Tournament.. While at the tournament, students compete against different teams from different schools around Northwest Missouri. Students are also exposed to educational activities about the dangers and health-risks of smoking and tobacco. Pledge posters are made and prizes are awarded.
The students were made aware of this program by the Andrew County Health Department and the school counselor, Judy Curry. This program is designed to help teach students about the effects of smoking on their health and bodies.
