GREENSBORO -- Teens from Faces Around Us, a multicultural youth development program, popped in at WJMH (102 FM) to record an anti-tobacco commercial in the hopes of influencing young people to stay away from tobacco.

They were addressing a real problem: Out of 117 school districts in North Carolina, only 15 are tobacco-free. The commercial was written and produced by the students and was recorded in several languages. "We knew we had a lot of different people," said Kathe Rodriguez, a 15-year-old Dudley High School student. "We wanted something everyone could relate to." "It was exciting," said Rodriguez. "We came here to say smoking is a bad thing. It's not cool, you're killing yourself." Noel Lumbu, a 17-year-old Grimsley High School student, was glad to be a part of a message that was made by young people. "I hope it makes a difference. It lets them know the consequences, " Lumbu said. "I hope they'll listen to the message." Faces Among Us needed about 60 seconds to record their message that they want 100 percent tobacco-free participation within schools. This means that not only students would adhere to the tobacco-free policies but teachers, staff and visitors would as well. Faces Around Us Youth Coordinator Deborah Kelly-Burch could tell the teens were nervous before recording the commercial but said the students have represented their age group well. "This gives them the opportunity to say the message in their own language," said Kelly-Burch. "And that's very empowering."

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