Stoughton High Students Say No to Smoking at Annual Kick Butts Day

The following is a press release from The 84 Movement:

Youth from Students Against Destructive Decisions joined over 250 young people from across the Commonwealth on March 21 at the Massachusetts State House for a  event to celebrate their role in reducing the influence of the tobacco industry in their communities.

While at the State House the youth visited with lawmakers, attended a rally with United States Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, and a closing event with Massachusetts Department of Public Health Medical Director Dr. Lauren Smith.  

The students used their time with lawmakers to discuss the ways the tobacco industry continues to target young people: through a range of new non-cigarette tobacco products, cheap prices, flashy packaging, and product placement in venues young people visit, including convenience stores near schools. The industry then prices the products cheaply to encourage impulse buys by youth.  

At the rally, each participant received a citation from the United States Surgeon General recognizing them for their efforts in fighting big tobacco in their communities.        

"It is important for our lawmakers and the public to know that the tobacco industry is continuing to target our communities and youth," said John Nguyen, statewide planning committee member for The 84.  "The 84 Chapters from across Massachusetts are working hard to highlight the dangers of tobacco use and to ensure that young people never start."

Stoughton High School's Chapter of Students Against Destructive Decisions is also a member of The 84 Movement, which helps mobilize youth to take action to protect their communities from the influence of the tobacco industry. The event celebrated the work these students are doing to fight back against the tobacco industry’s influence in their communities.

The 84 Movement is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program and managed by Health Resources in Action.   For more information on The 84 Movement and the work being done throughout the Commonwealth to make smoking history, visit www.The84.org andwww.makesmokinghistory.org.

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About The 84 Movement:

The 84 Movement, representing the 84% of youth in MA that do not smoke, is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program and managed by Health Resources in Action.  Youth in The 84 Movement make a difference by educating others about the dangers of tobacco, working to change laws to limit youth access to tobacco, and raising awareness that most youth do not smoke.  To find out more information on The 84 Movement and the work being done throughout the Commonwealth to make smoking history, visit www.The84.org and www.makesmokinghistory.org.