SPFJr. YOUTH LEADERS ENCOURAGE SOMERVILLE YOUTH TO END TOBACCO USE

SOMERVILLE - Somerville Special Positive Forces Junior Edition (SPFJr.), a

youth group within the City's Somerville Cares About Prevention (SCAP) program

in the Health Department, celebrated "Kick Butts Day" on Wednesday, March 22^nd

by chalking facts and messages

pertaining to tobacco on the sidewalks. 

SPFJr. youth promoted the fact that 85% of Somerville High School

students DO NOT smoke and that smoking is NOT the norm as reported on the 2010

SHS Student Health Survey.  SPFJr.

is a group of Somerville middle school students that works to reduce youth

substance abuse and related issues.  "Kick Butts Day" is a special a

day for activism where youth are encouraged to "Stand Out, Speak Up, and

Seize Control of Big

Tobacco." Youth get to choose whichever activity they want to educate, attract,

and inspire others around issues related to tobacco and addiction.

Important facts regarding the negative consequences of

tobacco were also shared along walk ways and at bus stops, facts including,

"Tobacco Industry addicts more than 1,000 youth every day," "50,000 die every

year in the U.S. from second hand smoke," and "Worldwide, tobacco use kills 1

person every 6.3 seconds." Other eye-catching phrases included, "Save your

lungs, Save your LIFE," and a to-the-point message, "SMOKING KILLS."

 "This work is incredibly important as it gets people

thinking. This is the start to activism, getting the information out there and

challenging Big Tobacco. The youth are excited to continue doing this type of

community outreach and we look forward to their efforts," stated Ariana

Coniglio, SCAP Assistant Project Director.

For more information about Somerville Positive Forces

and Somerville Cares About Prevention or to volunteer, please contact:  Lovelee Heller-Bottari, SCAP Program

Director, at 617-625-6600 x4322 or lheller@somervillema.gov.