TOBACCOFREE/World No Tobacco Day Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 29, 2008
Contact: Pam Schultetus, (850) 668-2222,
media@tobaccofreeflorida.com
FLORIDA YOUTH PLEDGE TO BE TOBACCO FREE ON WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY
Every Day More than 4,000 Youth Try Their First Cigarette
Tallahassee, FL - Tobacco Free Florida is celebrating World No Tobacco Day on May 31 by encouraging youth to pledge that they will remain tobacco free and tobacco users to quit for good. Beginning May 28, visitors to tobaccofreeflorida.com will have the opportunity to take the "I Care" pledge to avoid using cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products. A printable pledge card is also available on the website for distribution in schools or youth organizations (http://www.tobaccofreeflorida.com/english/campaign/who/).
A poll on Tobacco Free Florida's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/icareidontsmoke, will count the number of "I Care" pledges received. Those who pledge to remain tobacco free will be able to share their stories and spread the word to others by becoming a "fan" on Facebook. Currently, there are more than 18,000 "fans" on Tobacco Free Florida's Facebook page who have declared to live a healthier tobacco-free lifestyle.
"By taking the 'I Care' pledge, youth choose to abstain from all forms of tobacco use, allowing them to serve as positive role models in their family and friends' lives, not to mention society as a whole," says Kim Berfield, Deputy Secretary of the Florida Department of Health. "It is crucial that youth recognize the importance of claiming their right to health and healthy living by avoiding cigarettes and smokeless tobacco."
Children and teenagers make up 90% of the new smokers in the United States and each day, more than 4,000 young people between the ages of 12 and 17 try their first cigarette. Another 1,140 become regular, daily smokers and of those, about a third will die from a smoking-related disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the younger one begins to smoke, the more likely they will become an adult smoker. Young people who do not start using tobacco by age 18 will most likely never start.
For more information on Tobacco Free Florida, please contact Pam Schultetus at media@tobaccofreeflorida.com or (850) 668-2222.
