CONTACT: Stephanie Marquis, DHFS, 608-266-1683

Nationwide “Kick Butts” Day Empowers Teens to Raise Their Voices Against Tobacco

MADISON - Thousands of youth across the country will take part in “Kick Butts” Day, a nationwide initiative that encourages teens to take a stand by keeping their peers tobacco-free. The April 2nd event is organized by the Washington, D.C.-based Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, and includes activities and events for elementary, middle and high school students. This year marks the event’s 13th anniversary.

“Young people have a powerful voice in the fight against tobacco, and they should know that they’re not in this fight alone,” said Secretary Kevin R. Hayden. “The numbers show that Wisconsin is turning the tide against the Big Tobacco companies. Since the $1 per pack cigarette tax went into effect on January 1, approximately 20,000 people have called the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line and the number of cigarettes sold in Wisconsin has dropped by 5 million.”

Wisconsin teens are combating tobacco use through a statewide youth-led movement called FACT. The group, which stands for Fighting Against Corporate Tobacco, is made up of 13-18 year olds and works to expose the lies and media manipulation of the tobacco industry. More than 14,000 Wisconsin teens have joined since the movement was created in 2001.

“Wisconsin is lucky to have so many young people willing to take a stand against tobacco,” said Hayden. “We owe it to them to show the same dedication in all of our tobacco control efforts.”

As the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. tobacco kills more than 400,000 people every year. Youth are especially vulnerable to the dangers of tobacco. Every day, more than 4,000 kids try their first cigarettes, and another 1,000 kids become addicted smokers, one-third of whom will die prematurely as a result.

For more information on FACT, visit:  http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/tobacco/fact.htm.

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Last Revised:  July 12, 2010