Area high schoolers lead in fight against youth tobacco use

By Annie McCallum

Published: April 2, 2008

Area high school students kicked butts Wednesday when they became leaders in the fight against youth tobacco use.
During the 13th annual Kick Butts Day, students gathered in front of E.C. Glass High School for a press conference followed by a cigarette butt cleanup.

“Smoking is a big problem and we’re trying to solve it,” said Brookville High School junior Genelle Smith, while holding a sign emblazoned with the message: “Keep your butt in your car, the Earth is not your ash tray.”

The day, spearheaded by Centra Health, is a national event created to raise awareness about the harms of tobacco use and secondhand smoke, especially among teens. It also called attention to continued tobacco marketing and sales to teens.

Local students collected 1,200 pairs of sneakers, which were displayed during the day, representing those who die each day in the U.S. from tobacco or secondhand smoke. The sneakers will be donated to the Disabled American Veterans, Goodwill and the Salvation Army.

Colorful messages scrawled across the sidewalk were also on display during the afternoon festivities.

“Kick butts,” was written in purple chalk. Just above it in blue chalk, another message: “23% of current high school students smoke.”

During the press conference local leaders, including Mayor Joan Foster and Del. Shannon Valentine, praised students for their hard work and efforts to speak out against teen smoking.

Smith, who was joined by fellow Brookville students Chris Parrish and Chantalle Yuille, held signs and listened to speakers. Afterward, they said they all know teens who smoke.

“I tell them straight up it’s crazy and stupid,” Parrish said.

Yuille agreed.

“I know the fix and what it has on people,” she said, adding secondhand smoke can be just as bad.

Armed with signs, including one asking drivers to honk if they don’t smoke, the threesome headed down to the sidewalk facing Memorial Avenue.

“It’s sad people smoke and throw it out the window,” Yuille said of the cigarette butts that lined the grassy area near the sidewalk.

Just up the street, Jefferson Forest High School freshmen Emily Burnette and Lauren Gorda shrieked in unison as cars honked and passed them while they collected cigarette butts.

After only a few minutes of work, their plastic bag had nearly a dozen butts. Both girls acknowledged teen smoking as a problem.

Burnette said Kick Butts Day marked a chance for students, like her, to have a voice.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for kids to raise awareness.”

The front of E.C. Glass High School was covered with chalk anti-smoking messages on Wednesday. KIM RAFF/THE NEWS & ADVANCE