184,374 kids have become regular smokers in 2006. 59,000 will die
prematurely from their addiction
(Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, 2006)
Almost 90% of smokers started smoking before
the age of 18.
Jefferson County
aims to prevent youth smoking by arming youth with the truth about tobacco
and providing youth with advocacy skills so they can make changes in their
communities.
The Health Department offers
tobacco prevention programs for
students throughout
Jefferson
County. If
you have a need for youth tobacco prevention, please contact us! These programs
are offered at no charge and run about one hour.
For more information or to schedule a
presentation, please call (636) 282-1010 extension 268, or
contact us
through our website.
Advocacy
Youth participation in the stand against
tobacco is very important. Youth provide a fresh perspective on the problem of
tobacco use, and the intelligence and boldness to challenge the social norms
surrounding this issue. This is why the Health Department, in partnership with
other community organizations, trains area high schools students on what it
takes to be effective advocates against tobacco use.
The goals of these trainings are for students
to learn how to advocate for smoke-free environments and begin to develop skills
to advocate in a variety of venues. As a result of this training, student groups
are beginning to be formed with the purpose of taking a stand against tobacco
use in their schools and communities.
Our trained youth advocates
utilize local media to address the burden of tobacco by educating residents
about tobacco and resources to quit. Students use their advocacy skills and creativity to produce
articles, posters, radio spots and
billboard ads.
According to Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids
2006, the tobacco industry spends
more than $12.4 billion per year and over $34.1 million a day marketing it's
deadly products in the U.S. alone and about 460 million dollars a year marketing
to Missourians.