Commission proclaims Kick Butts Day

Palm Coast Observer
Neighbors

Members of the Flagler Palm Coast High School Students Working Against Tobacco organization attended the Flagler County Commission Meeting March 19, where a proclamation was read and passed to name Wednesday March 21, Kick Butts Day. (see the proclamation below)

The FPC SWAT in conjunction with a SWAT group from the Flagler County Youth Center, has been working to spread awareness of tobacco prevention amongst teens. The groups had an information booth at the Flagler County Children’s Day in January, another at the eighth grade orientation at FPC in early March and have done monthly on campus activities including games and educational pieces to show the breathing difficulties, dangers of addiction and health issues related to tobacco use.

Proclamation
A proclamation of the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners Recognizing Wednesday, March 21, 2012 as KICK BUTTS DAY in Flagler County

WHEREAS, preventing youth tobacco initiation is a critical step in combating the pervasive problem of tobacco, the leading cause of disease and preventable death in the United States; and

WHEREAS, nine out of 10 all adult smokers begin while in their teens, or earlier, and two-thirds become regular, daily smokers before they reach the age of 19; and

WHEREAS, more than 21,300 children, under age 18, in Florida become new smokers each year; and

WHEREAS, 11.9% percent of high school students and 3.5% percent of middle school students in Flagler County reported current cigarette use in 2011 and

WHEREAS, current data suggests that 369,000 Florida children will ultimately die prematurely from smoking; and

WHEREAS, adolescents’ bodies are more sensitive to nicotine and adolescents are more easily addicted than adults, and in addition, the design and contents of tobacco products make them more attractive and addictive than ever before; and

WHEREAS, Tobacco Free Florida is a statewide campaign which educates the public about the importance of tobacco prevention and of quitting tobacco use, promotes tobacco cessation resources, and strives for a smoke-free environment for future generations; and

WHEREAS, the focus of Kick Butts Day is a national day of activism that empowers youth to speak up and take action to help prevent youth tobacco use; and

WHEREAS, the state of Florida is committed to the goals and objectives of Kick Butts Day through a variety of public health activities and programs;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE FLAGLER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, that they hereby proclaim Wednesday, March 21, 2012 as Kick Butts Day in Flagler County and together with the Students of the Flagler Palm Coast High School and the Flagler County Teen Center SWAT organizations encourage the residents of Flagler County to assist in creating a smoke free environment.

Dated this 19th day of March, 2012.