2010 Texas Events

Questions about events going on in Texas?

Contact:
Patrick Stevenson, 202-745-5059
Ashley Rockhold, 202-296-5469

Press Release

Texas 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 Texas 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 Texas, tobacco use claims 24,500 lives and costs $5.83 billion in health care bills each year. Currently, 21.1 percent of the state's high school students smoke, and 110,000 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 Texas include (all events are on March 24 unless otherwise noted):

In Kilgore, 6th grade students at the Maude Laird Middle School will memorialize and remember the 67 Texans who die each day from tobacco and secondhand smoke. Time: 8 AM. Location: 2500 Shasta Way, Kilgore. Contact: Donna Shupe (903) 917-4093.
The Eastside Boys and Girls Club of Ft. Worth will celebrate Kick Butts Day with an interactive carnival where kids will learn about the dangers of tobacco use through games, trivia contests and educational displays. Time: 5 PM. Location: 4651 Ramey Street, Ft. Worth. Contact: Becky Runkel (817) 492-4673.
Students from the University of Houston will participate in a health fair consisting of interactive, educational activities including an art contest, booths that display the ingredients included in a cigarette, and free wellness checks. Time: 12 PM. Location: 4800 Calhoun Road, Houston. Contact: Saba Javed (832) 660-8884.
Students at Goldthwaite Middle School in Goldthwaite will decorate classroom doors and announce facts about tobacco over the PA system. Time: All Day. Location: 1507 Trent Street, Goldthwaite. Contact: Missy King (254) 931-2175.

All Events (45)

Questions about a specific event?
Call one of our contacts (above) for more information.

Definite

Tentative

Amarillo Tentative
An event is being planned in this location.

Bastrop
Upstart
Kicking Butts on Film (..And Radio!)
March 21st, 4:15 pm
Media Contact: Carolyn Banks
— Call (512) 284-1854 on the day of the event

Dickinson Tentative
An event is being planned in this location.

Dyess AFB Tentative
An event is being planned in this location.

El Paso Tentative
An event is being planned in this location.

Fort Sam Houston Tentative
An event is being planned in this location.

Fort Worth Tentative
An event is being planned in this location.

Fort Worth
Wedgwood Sixth Grade
Airing Out Big Tobacco's Dirty Laundry
March 21st
Media Contact: Valerie Layne
— Call (817) 937-3571 on the day of the event

Fort Worth Tentative
An event is being planned in this location.

Ft. Worth
Oaklawn Elem
Pledge/Graffiti/Memorial Wall
March 21st, 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Media Contact: Lisa Wheeler
— Call (817) 815-9100 on the day of the event

Ft. Worth Tentative
An event is being planned in this location.

Goodfellow, AFB
Goodfellow AFB, TX
March 21st, 4:45 pm – 5:30 pm
Media Contact: Steven L. Goff / Cravin Ham
— Call (325) 654-4708 on the day of the event

Hallettsville Tentative
An event is being planned in this location.

Houston
Emancipation Park
Cigarette Butt Clean-up
March 3rd, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Media Contact: Terrance. Campbell
— Call (713) 374-1252 on the day of the event

Houston
Dogan Elementary and Landis Elementary Schools
March 21st
Media Contact: Terrance Campell
— Call (713) 374-1252 on the day of the event

Houston Tentative
An event is being planned in this location.

Ingleside
Ingleside Texas
March 21st
Media Contact: DJ Kilgore
— Call (361) 739-4501 on the day of the event

LA GRULLA Tentative
An event is being planned in this location.

La Marque
La Marque High School
Kick Butts Day Proclamation
March 21st, 11:45 am – 1:15 pm
Media Contact: Mary Kristen Valentine
— Call (713) 802-7795 on the day of the event

Laredo
Matis De Llano Elementary School
March 21st, 9:00 am
Media Contact: Melissa Belmares-Cavazos
— Call (956) 724-3177 on the day of the event

Lubbock
Optimist Boys & Girls Club
March 21st, 3:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Media Contact: Jennifer Thomas
— Call (806) 392-1497 on the day of the event

Mission Tentative
An event is being planned in this location.

Port Arthur
Memorial High School
March 24th, 12:00 am – 5:00 pm
Media Contact: Anna Bartsch
— Call (409) 626-1134 on the day of the event

Rio Grande City Tentative
An event is being planned in this location.

San Angelo Tentative
An event is being planned in this location.

San Angelo
The Alcohcol & Drug Abuse Council for the Concho Valley
Pledge/Graffiti/Memorial Wall
March 21st
Media Contact: Paulette Barnes-Schell
— Call (325) 450-4176 on the day of the event

San Antonio Tentative
An event is being planned in this location.

San Antonio
Westway Apartments
Kicking Butts with Art
March 22nd, 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Media Contact: Melanie Villalobos
— Call 210 477-6130/336-1932 on the day of the event

San Antonio
Dr. Charles Andrews Apartments
Tobacco Puts Your Health in Jeopardy
March 23rd, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Media Contact: Melanie Villalobos
— Call (210) 336-1932 on the day of the event

Sugar Land Tentative
An event is being planned in this location.

Tatum Tentative
An event is being planned in this location.

Texas City
Texas City High School
Kick Butts Day Proclamation
March 21st, 11:45 am – 1:15 pm
Media Contact: Mary Kristen Valentine
— Call (713) 802-7795 on the day of the event

Tyler Tentative
An event is being planned in this location.

Victoria Tentative
An event is being planned in this location.

Waco
Waco and La Vega Independent School District
Kicking Butts on Film (..And Radio!)
March 21st
Media Contact: Imeh Udoessien
— Call (214) 207-2877 on the day of the event

Waco Tentative
An event is being planned in this location.

Wichita Falls
Wichita Falls Housing Authority
March 21st, 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Media Contact: Becky Browning
— Call (940) 687-2450 on the day of the event