TOBACCO FREE CELEBRATION
By KULR Staff
Story Published: Jan 18, 2013 at 10:58 PM MST
Story Updated: Jan 18, 2013 at 11:02 PM MST
BILLINGS - Billings families celebrated a tobacco free lifestyle Friday night at Riverside Middle School.
The event was sponsored by Riverstone Health and a student club. It promotes healthy lifestyle choices as alternatives to teen tobacco use.
A handful of students in Billings are taking a stand on an issue that has been debated in America for decades. The React Club, or Reaction Against Corporate Tobacco, at Riverside Middle School is raising awareness about the detrimental effects of tobacco.
"It’s just not a good thing. It isn't sexy, it doesn't make you look cool, it doesn't make you feel better. It's just addictive,” said Olivia Takacs, an 8th grader from riverside.
The club warned against the ills of tobacco and had a good time doing it. Friday night's activities include a dodgeball tournament with prizes for the winners. An awareness speech was given to the families at halftime. And healthy snacks like carrots and apples were served alongside whole-wheat pizza.
"It’s just really rewarding to see the kids come together and do something that is meaningful to the whole community," said Nathan Stahley from Riverstone Health.
Stahley says flavored tobacco is proof that corporate companies target younger age groups. According to the center for disease control and prevention 80% of smokers in the nation start the habit before they turn 18, and every single day about 4,000 minors smoke a cigarette or use tobacco dip for the very first time.
"A lot of their customers are dying, so they target young people specifically because they know they will be lifelong users,” said Stahley.
An estimated 5% of middle school students use some form of tobacco regularly. It can be especially dangerous for people with certain diseases, such as type 1 diabetes.
"Smoking, for me would be terrible. It would affect my blood sugars, and if I wanted to do sports it would make it nearly impossible for me to breath sometimes,” said 8th grader Kaleb Simcox.
1,400 Montanans die every year from tobacco use. Stahley says lowering that number starts with educating young age groups.
There are React Clubs at nearly a dozen schools all over Billings. The Riverside chapter meets once a week and more awareness events are in the works.
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