2010 Mississippi Events

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Graham Harrison, 202-745-5062
Ashley Rockhold, 202-296-5469

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Press Release

Mississippi Kids 'Kick Butts' on March 24
State Leaders Urged to Support Higher Tobacco Taxes, Other Tobacco Prevention Initiatives

WASHINGTON, DC (March 18, 2010) – Kids in Mississippi will take center stage in the fight against tobacco on March 24 as they join thousands of young people nationwide for the 15th annual Kick Butts Day.  More than 1,000 events are planned in all 50 states and the District of Columbia (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 record budget deficits, state leaders 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, 20 percent of high school students still smoke.

In Mississippi tobacco use claims 4,700 lives and costs $719 million in health care bills each year.  Currently, 19.2 percent of the state's high school students smoke, and 15,100 kids try cigarettes for the first time each year.

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 Mississippi include (all events are on March 24 unless otherwise noted):

• On March 27, youth and city advocates will rally in front of Bolton City Hall to help promote  the passage of a smoke-free ordinance in the city.  Youth will be handing out flyers with tobacco and secondhand smoke facts to educate the mayor, city council and the general public about the need for smoke-free spaces.  Time: 10 AM.  Location: City Hall, 202 Raymond Bolton Road, Bolton.  Contact:  Jacqueline Carter (601) 352-6993.
• The Mississippi Tobacco Free Coalitions of Alcorn, Prentiss, Tippah, Tishomingo and Generation FREE are co-hosting a free concert titled, "Kicking Butts and Taking Names."  Several live bands will be performing along with slideshows explaining the dangers of tobacco.  Time: 4:30 PM.  Location: Corinth Coliseum, 404 Taylor Street, Corinth.  Contact: Faith Robinson (662) 423-6500.
• Youth from Greenville and the Greenville Boys and Girls Club will gather to create a pledge wall to be tobacco-free that will be displayed in the gymnasium.  Youth will incorporate murals and tobacco advertisements into the wall to strongly illustrate the message of the power of Big Tobacco and the dangers of tobacco and secondhand smoke.  Time: 3 PM.  Location: 401 South Hinds Street, Greenville.  Contact: Audine Haynes (662) 378-6052.

 

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