2009 Kansas Events

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Nicole Dueffert, 202-296-5469

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Press Release

Kansas 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 Kansas 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 Kansas, tobacco companies spend $106.7 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 Kansas, tobacco use claims 3,800 lives and costs the state $927 million in health care bills a year, and 20.6 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 Kansas include (all events are on March 25 unless otherwise noted):

Humboldt High School in Humboldt will hold a school-wide assembly to illustrate the negative impacts of smoking and secondhand smoke, review state and local ordinances regarding tobacco, create a pledge wall, and kick off the Relay for Life fundraiser emphasizing cancer deaths due to tobacco use.  The assembly will feature special speaker David Toland, executive director of Thrive for Allen County. Time: 12:45 PM.  Location: 1020 New York Street, Humboldt.  Contact: Erin Kepley (620) 431-8160.

Latinos Against Tobacco/Alcohol (T.A.T.U.) will host a luncheon at the Hunter Health Clinic in Wichita for medical professionals. The luncheon will feature a special drawing for prizes and presentation by Hilary Meister, a public health educator from the Sedgwick County Health Department.  Time: 12:45 PM.  Location: 2318 East Central Street, Wichita.  Contact: Rita Chavez (316) 806-4055.

Students and faculty from Dodge City High School in Dodge City, along with other Ford and Gray county schools, will form a human chain around the school and along Highway 50 to advocate for clean air and tobacco use prevention.  Time: 1 PM.  Location: 2201 Ross Boulevard, Dodge City.  Contact: Shirley Voran (620) 408-5734.

The Health Student Association at Wichita State University in Wichita will ask student body, "1,200 people die a day from using tobacco products, are you or someone you know going to be one of them?"  Student healths advocates will create a mock graveyard on the commons area to represent the 1,200 people who die each day in the U.S. from tobacco and secondhand smoke.  Time: 10 AM.  Location: 1845 Fairmount Street, Wichita.  Contact: Kylie Brinkman (620) 820-3623.

On April 27, students at Fort Scott High School in Fort Scott will host special guest speaker Don Young, a cancer survivor and founder of Young Choices smoking cessation group. Students will also create sidewalk art with tobacco facts and will host smoke-free dining events to promote smoke-free restaurants in their community. They will present a proposal to the school board to promote tobacco-free school grounds.  Time: 10:30 AM.  Location: 1005 South Main, Fort Scott.  Contact: Rita Nienstedt (620) 215-3233.

 

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