2009 Arkansas Events

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Nicole Dueffert, 202-296-5469

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Press Release

Arkansas Kids "Kick Butts" on March 25
Health Advocates Urge Congress to Crack Down on Tobacco Marketing to Kids

WASHINGTON, DC (March 19, 2009) — Kids across Arkansas will rally against tobacco on March 25 as they join thousands of young people nationwide for the 14th annual Kick Butts Day, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.  Hundreds of events are planned across the nation.

This year, Kick Butts Day is raising awareness about continued tobacco marketing to kids and the need for Congress to crack down on these harmful practices by passing legislation granting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority to regulate tobacco products.

Kick Butts Day comes on the heels of a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that demonstrated how tobacco marketing continues to influence kids.  The study found that youth smokers overwhelmingly prefer the three most heavily advertised cigarette brands — Philip Morris' Marlboro, Lorillard's Newport and R.J. Reynolds' Camel.  These brands were preferred by 78.2 percent of middle school smokers and 86.5 percent of high school smokers.  Marlboro is preferred by more high school smokers, 52.3 percent, than all other brands combined.

To protect kids from tobacco addiction and save lives, health advocates are urging Congress to pass legislation granting the FDA authority to regulate tobacco products.  The House Energy and Commerce Committee passed the legislation earlier this month.

Among other things, this legislation would crack down on tobacco marketing and sales to kids.  It would limit tobacco advertising in stores and in magazines with significant teen readership to black-and-white text only, eliminating the colorful images that depict smoking as cool and glamorous.  It would ban outdoor tobacco advertising near schools and playgrounds; end tobacco sponsorships of sports and entertainment events; and require stores to place tobacco products behind the counter.

"We hope Kick Butts Day will inspire our nation's leaders to take long-overdue action to protect our children from tobacco and save lives," said Matthew L. Myers, President, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.  "Tobacco products are the No. 1 cause of preventable death in the United States, yet they have escaped even the most basic regulation to protect public health.  It's time for Congress to end this special protection for the tobacco industry and protect our nation's kids and health instead."

In addition to the marketing restrictions, the bill before Congress would require larger, more effective health warnings on tobacco products; ban misleading cigarette descriptions such as "light" and "low-tar;" strictly regulate all health claims about tobacco products; require disclosure of the contents of tobacco products; and allow the FDA to mandate changes in tobacco products, such as the reduction or removal of harmful chemicals.

At the state level, health advocates are urging governors and legislators to adopt proven measures to reduce tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke, including higher tobacco taxes, smoke-free workplace laws, and well-funded programs to prevent kids from smoking and help smokers quit.

Since the 1998 tobacco settlement, tobacco companies have nearly doubled their annual marketing expenditures, from $6.9 billion in 1998 to $13.4 billion in 2005 — more than $36 million per day, according to the Federal Trade Commission. In Arkansas, tobacco companies spend $160.5 million a year to market their products. 

Nationwide, tobacco use kills more than 400,000 people and costs the nation $96 billion in health care bills each year, and 20 percent of high school students smoke.  In Arkansas, tobacco use claims 4,900 lives and costs the state $812 million in health care bills a year, and 20.7 percent of high school students smoke.

Featured Events

On Kick Butts Day, kids turn the tables on Big Tobacco with events that range from “They put WHAT in a cigarette?” demonstrations to mock-funerals for the Marlboro Man to rallies at state capitols. Activities in Arkansas include (all events are on March 25 unless otherwise noted):

In Little Rock, the Youth Extinguishing Smoking (Y.E.S.) Team, the Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program at the Arkansas Department of Health, the Arkansas Department of Education Office of Coordinated School Health and the city of Little Rock’s K.I.C.K. Coalition will lead anti-tobacco youth advocates in a parade to the Capitol to educate elected officials about tobacco’s toll on Arkansas residents.  The parade will end on the Capitol steps.  Time: 10:30 AM.  Location: Front Steps, Arkansas State Capitol Building, Intersection of Capital Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Little Rock.  Contact: Genine Perez (501) 240-6064.

On April 7 at Dumas High School’s Annual Family Night in Dumas, students will compete to produce the best Knock Out Tobacco advertisement.  The event will be held in the Dumas High School Physical Ed Gym.  Time: 3:45 PM.  Location: 709 Dan Gill Drive, Dumas.  Contact: Susan Stewart (870) 377-0506.

 

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