HARFORD COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

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120 S. Hays Street
Susan C. Kelly, EHS Health Officer Russell W. Moy, MD, MPH Deputy Health Officer

P.O. Box 797

Bel Air, Maryland 21014-0797

March 11, 2013

MEDIA ALERT: National Kick Butts Banner Event

While visiting schools in Harford County and educating students about the negative impact of using tobacco, I am proud to announce that thousands of 5th grade students across Harford County have pledged never to try tobacco by signing their names on banners that will be exhibited on National Kick Butts Day, Wednesday, March 20, 2013. I am asking that you be on-hand for the presentation of the banners to raise awareness of the tobacco problem in Harford County and encourage youth to stay tobacco-free. Please join us on this occasion to celebrate the presentation of our countys youth pledging against tobacco and to support our young friends. Wednesday, March 20, 2013 Open House 10 AM 1 PM Speakers: 10:30 11:00am The Harford County Health Department, Woodbridge Center 1321 Woodbridge Station Way, Edgewood, MD 21040 Each year, National Kick Butts Day is recognized as a national day for involving and encouraging youth to seize control against tobacco. As Harford County Health Departments Cigarette Restitution Fund Tobacco Program School Health Specialist, it is my job to teach students of all ages throughout our County about the dangers of tobacco, while empowering them to make healthy decisions to refrain from using tobacco in any form. As you may already know: Harford County has one of the highest rates of adult cigarette use in Maryland. Harford has higher rates of use by youth of any tobacco product (17.3%) and for initiation of tobacco use (19.2%) than Maryland State averages for both categories, at 17.1% and 18.1%, respectively. Cigarette use by Harford County high school students (17.2%), particularly among 10th through 12th graders is considerably higher than the MD state average for that same age group (14.1%) and has been trending higher in recent years as funding for anti-tobacco advertising campaigns has diminished. Nationwide: o The number of students who become new daily smokers each year: 6,200 o The number of packs of cigarettes smoked by students each year: 10 million o The number of Americans killed every day from cigarette smoking: 1,200

We dont want our children to become a part of tobacco addiction, morbidity and mortality statistics. Along with our (cessation) efforts directed at helping tobacco users quit, we believe that the very best means of preventing future tobacco-related deaths is to take tobacco awareness directly to the next generation of potential tobacco users. Please join us, wont you, and be sure to call me (410-612-1781, x-2504) if you have any questions.

Dottie Ruff
Dottie Ruff, School & Community Tobacco Education Specialist

www.harfordcountyhealth.com