CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Students in Montgomery County will join youth all across Tennessee to take part in Kick Butts Day March 20, 2019.
Kick Butts Day is an annual celebration of youth leadership and activism in the fight against tobacco use.
“We are very proud of our students in Montgomery County who are doing what they can to reduce tobacco use and help save lives,” said Joey Smith, Montgomery County Health Director. “It’s very important that we raise awareness of the dangers of tobacco use in our state and community.”
Students from the Northwest High Health Science Academy will be taking part in Kick Butts Day. Inspired by the Anderson County Health Department’s Kick the Habit, Not the Bucket, and through a partnership with the Montgomery County Health Council, the students designed an awareness campaign by placing buckets with school colors and mascots in all Clarksville-Montgomery County High Schools. The buckets have information on the dangers of tobacco, e-cigarettes, Juul, and other substances. The buckets also contain information related to mental health and numbers to call for help.
Statistics from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids show 9.4 percent of high school students, or 31,900 teenagers in Tennessee are smokers. The organization also reports 2,600 Tennessee children and teenagers become new daily smokers each year. Statistics also show how deadly this daily habit can be: the group estimates 125,000 children and teens now alive in Tennessee will ultimately die prematurely as a result of smoking.
Tennessee youth are making great strides in reducing tobacco use thanks to the TNSTRONG movement. TNSTRONG stands for “Tennessee Stop Tobacco and Revolutionize Our New Generation” and was developed by and for Tennessee teens. Join the movement on Facebook @TNSTRONGmovement, on Twitter @TN_STRONG and on Instagram @tn.strong.
The Montgomery County Health Department offers smoking cessation services to help both youth and adult smokers kick the habit. Contact the clinic at 931-648-5747 for details. The Montgomery County Health Department is located at 330 Pageant Lane and is open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Tennesseans who are ready to kick butts and drop tobacco for a smoke-free life can also call the Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine at 1-800-QUIT-NOW to connect with a counselor for free assistance in quitting smoking. Learn more and enroll online at www.tnquitline.org.