dadstimeon Posted March 22, 2007 Posted March 22, 2007 http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stori ... 638&EDATE= Events Spotlight Deadly Chemicals in Cigarettes, Urge Elected Officials to Take Action to Curb Tobacco Use WASHINGTON, March 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids across Michigan will rally against tobacco on March 28 as they join thousands of young people nationwide for the twelfth annual Kick Butts Day, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. More than 2,000 events are planned across the nation (for a list of local events see below). This year, Kick Butts Day is raising awareness about the thousands of chemicals in each puff of cigarette smoke and the need for elected officials at all levels to step up the fight to reduce smoking and other tobacco use. Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, including at least 69 that cause cancer and many more that are hazardous. But a new poll released by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids finds that most Americans are not aware of the dangerous chemicals in cigarettes and cigarette smoke. The poll, conducted March 7-11, found that 71 percent of adults and 79 percent of teens could not name any of the chemicals found in cigarette smoke, other than tar and nicotine. Detailed poll results can be found at http://tobaccofreekids.org/pdf/2007poll.pdf Chemicals in cigarette smoke include arsenic (used in rat poison, causes cancer in humans), ammonia (used in household cleaners, can irritate the respiratory tract and elevate blood pressure), formaldehyde (used to embalm bodies, causes nasal cancer and can damage the lungs, skin and digestive system), and polonium 210 (a highly radioactive element that causes cancer). To raise awareness about these and other hazardous chemicals in cigarettes, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids has launched a new web site -- http://www.whatareyousmoking.org. This year, health advocates are urging Congress to pass legislation granting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority to regulate tobacco products. Among other things, the FDA could require that tobacco companies disclose the contents of tobacco products and remove harmful ingredients; crack down on tobacco marketing and sales to kids; and stop tobacco companies from misleading the public about the health risks of their products. Both U.S. Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow are co-sponsors of the legislation. "It is inexcusable that tobacco products, the number one preventable cause of death in America, are one of the least regulated products sold in America," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "By granting the FDA authority to regulate tobacco products, Congress can stop the tobacco industry from targeting our children and misleading the public. We hope Kick Butts Day will inspire elected leaders across the nation to support effective measures to protect children and save lives." 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. Nationwide, tobacco use kills more than 400,000 people and costs more than $96 billion in health care bills each year, and 23 percent of high school students smoke. In Michigan, tobacco use kills 15,850 residents and costs the state $3.4 billion in health care bills a year, and 17 percent of high school students smoke. Kick Butts Day comes as the tobacco industry is spending record amounts to market its deadly products. According to the Federal Trade Commission, the tobacco companies spend more than $15.4 billion a year to market their products in the U.S. -- that's $42 million a day. In Michigan, tobacco companies spend $556 million a year to market their products. 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 Michigan include (all events are on March 28 unless otherwise noted): At Horizons Community High School in Grand Rapids, youth will write and display powerful messages about tobacco's toll on them and their loved ones when they erect a Memorial Graffiti Wall. Time: 9 AM-3 PM. Location: 1585 36th Street, Grand Rapids. Contact: Estelle Slootmaker (616) 530-7135. Students at Bryant Elementary School in Owosso are doing an ugly face contest where students will get a chance to look at an unhealthy lung. Prizes will be given to the best ugly face. Time: All Day. Location: 925 Hampton Street, Owosso. Contact: Henry Reinewald (989) 729-5616. At Chatterton Middle School in Warren, youth will display household products that contain the same dangerous chemicals as cigarettes, such as ammonia and arsenic. Time: 8:30 AM-2:30 PM. Location: 23200 Ryan Road, Warren. Contact: Laura Sandzik (586) 757-7523. In Lansing, the public and associates at Sparrow Health System will receive handouts and Quit Kits. Time: 8 AM-1 PM. Location: Sparrow Health System, 1215 E. Michigan Avenue, Lansing. Contact: Sharolyn Gonzalez (517) 364-2689. Note to the media: A list of Kick Butts Day events in Michigan follows. Additional events are being added daily. For more information, call the Kick Butts Day media contact listed at the top of this press release. Additional information about tobacco, including state-by-state statistics, can be found at http://www.tobaccofreekids.org. Phone Event City Contact Location before KBD Phone on KBD Date Algonac Jessica Algonquin (810)794-4982 (810)794-4982 03/28/07 Mackie Middle School Belleville Susan Duda- Belleville (734)697-9133 (734)697-9133 03/28/07 Osborne High School Grand Estelle Horizons (616)538-0485 (616)530-7135 03/28/07 Rapids Slootmaker Community High School Lansing Sharolyn Sparrow (517)364-2689 (517)364-2689 03/28/07 Gonzalez Health System Owosso Henry Owosso, (989)729-5616 (989)729-5616 03/28/07 Reinewald Michigan Warren Laura Sandzik Fitzgerald (586)757-7523 (586)757-7523 03/28/07 High School Contacts: Erica Garland, 202-745-5119 Nicole Dueffert, 202-296-5469 SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Quote
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