Program helps children choose not to smoke
03/01/01
Every day 6,000 children puff their first cigarette ... 3,000 go on to become regular smokers.
For some reason, they haven't heard or don't believe that smoking is the single most preventable cause of death and disease in the United States.
So, at the Byrnes Health Education Center, turning kids away from smoking has become a top priority.
"Huffin'N Puffin" is a program that starts with fourth-graders. The HEC explains it is designed "to prepare children to make the healthy choice not to smoke by giving them knowledge and the skills they need to avoid smoking as they move into the critical fifth- through 10th-grade period."
Nationwide studies, originated by the HEC and supervised by Penn State University, convincingly demonstrate that tobacco prevention education programs work.
Sam Bressi, president and CEO at HEC, notes:
"... Heath education programs truly impact the lives of students. The knowledge gained through participation in 'Huffin'N Puffin' gives students the tools they need to make the healthy choice not to smoke."
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