Kick Butts Day 2011

Kids across Indiana will take center stage in the fight against tobacco on March 23rd as they join thousands of young people nationwide for the 16^th annual Kick Butts Day. Hundreds of events are 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. In Indiana, health advocates are urging state leaders to enact a strong, statewide smoke-free law that applies to all workplaces, restaurants and bars. To date, 29 states and the District of Columbia have enacted smoke-free laws that cover all restaurants and bars. These laws protect workers and the public from secondhand smoke, which is a proven cause of lung cancer, heart disease and other serious illnesses.

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 Indiana, tobacco use claims 9,700 lives and costs $2.08 billion in health care bills each year. Currently, 23.5 percent of the state's high school students smoke, and 36,500 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.

In Lafayette the Lyn Treece Boys and Girls Club will be holding a Kick Butts Day Carnival. Join them from 4 - 6pm on Thursday March 24th at the Boys and Girls Club at 4112 Beck Lane. The carnival will include games, prizes, and educational activities. We are encouraging students and parents to participate in a club talent show. Students will also have the opportunity to write letters to our local government officials about being tobacco free and about the dangers of secondhand smoke. Parents are encouraged to join us and sign the smoke free home and car pledge. This event is open to the public and free.