March 19 marks the nineteenth annual Kick Butts Day, a national day during which youth are encouraged to stand up and speak out against tobacco companies. Bismarck Burleigh Public Health and the North Dakota Center for Tobacco Prevention and Control Policy (the Center) are using this occasion to educate youth about the dangers of tobacco. They are also educating the public on how tobacco companies continue to use corrupt marketing practices to target our youth, despite the promises made in the 1998 tobacco settlement to end this deadly practice.
Research shows that 600 North Dakota youth under the age of 18 become new daily smokers every year, and 14,000 youth will die prematurely from smoking. In addition, 1.9 million packs of cigarettes are bought or smoked each year by youth under 18.
According to Jeanne Prom, executive director for the Center, tobacco companies are spending millions in North Dakota each year to get the youth smoking rates up. Prom said that some of the tactics tobacco companies use to attract youth are candy and fruit-flavored tobacco products, providing discounts and sales that make their products affordable and paying retailers to prominently display tobacco products in high-traffic areas.
Susan Kahler, Community Outreach Coordinator with Bismarck Burleigh Public Health said that Kick Butts Day is a great way to educate youth in the community on the importance of remaining tobacco free and to inform everyone about the harmful marketing schemes tobacco companies are using to trap youth into using tobacco. Here in Bismarck, area students will be educating their peers about how e-cigarette companies are using the same slick tactics long used to market regular cigarettes to youth. Don’t be fooled by flavors, celebrities and advertising claims. For more information about e-cigarettes visit www.breathend.com.
To learn more about Kick Butts Day programs taking place in your community, contact Bismarck Burleigh Public Health at 355-1595. For more information about quitting call 1-800-QUIT.NOW (1-800-784-8669) or visit www.ndhealth.gov/ndquits.