Garballey Joins Surgeon General for ‘Kick Butts’ Day

State Representative Sean Garballey with United States Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin at the Massachusetts State House March 21. Courtesy photo.

On March 21, 2012 Representative Garballey was joined by the United States Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin and over 250 young people from across Massachusetts for the annual event known as “Kick-Butts” Day. This event brings young people from across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to discuss the dangers of smoking.

Participating youth stressed to lawmakers that new tobacco products and marketing tactics used by tobacco companies are deliberately targeting young people, and they are literally not buying it. Youth residents of the Commonwealth informed legislators that the packaging and advertising used by the tobacco industry are attempts to attract young people, as are the placements of tobacco products in venues that young people frequent — including convenience stores near schools. Packaging and placement of tobacco products, coupled with low pricing, young people assert, are attempts to entice and encourage impulse buys by youth.

This year, Kick Butts Day comes just after a new report by the U.S. Surgeon General found that while the nation has made tremendous progress in reducing youth smoking, youth tobacco use remains a “pediatric epidemic” that requires urgent action. The Surgeon General’s report reached the following conclusions:

– While the high school smoking rate has been cut nearly in half since the mid-1990s, more than 3.6 million middle and high school students still smoke.

– In addition to long-term consequence such as cancer and heart disease, tobacco use immediately harms the health of youth and young adults. Smoking quickly causes nicotine addiction, cardiovascular damage, slower lung growth and shortness of breath.

– Tobacco marketing causes kids to start and continue using tobacco products. Tobacco companies spend more than $10 billion a year – more than $1 million an hour – to advertise and promote their products.

– Science and experience have identified proven strategies to reduce youth tobacco use. These include mass media campaigns, increasing the price of cigarettes through higher tobacco taxes, smoke-free policies and school and community prevention programs.

– Information and photo from State Representative Sean Garballey (D-Arlington, Medford)