WEAC Joins Campaign to Snuff Out Teen Smoking
By Anne Egan-Waukau
WEAC Media Relations Specialist
Today, 120 Wisconsin children will smoke their first cigarette. Over
time, 60 of them will become addicted and 30 will die from a tobacco-related
disease, according to the American Cancer Society.
It’s grim statistics like this that prompted the State Medical Society
of Wisconsin and WEAC to join forces to come up with a program titled,
“Smoking: Truth or Dare.”
“Unfortunately, too many children smoke or are duped into experimenting
with tobacco,” said Dr. John Riesch, SMS president. “This just
sets them up for a harmful, even deadly addiction.
“We hope this lesson plan, complete with real world examples of
how tobacco destroys lives, will make a lasting impression on kids.”
The two organizations have teamed up to distribute a moving videotape
to classrooms throughout the state. Educators interested in getting the
program into their schools should contact the SMS.
The two groups kicked off the effort with a press conference at Milwaukee’s
Westside Academy II.
“Both organizations play an integral part of a child’s life,”
said Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association President Paulette
Copeland, who attended the press conference. “Doctors help bring
a child into the world; educators help to guide them into the future.
We both determine the quality of life the child will have.
“It’s only natural that we align forces to show our children
how uncool and unhealthy smoking really is,” she said.
The following information was released at the press conference:
- Tobacco kills more than 400,000 Americans each year – more than
alcohol, car accidents, suicide, AIDS and homicides combined.
- A cigarette has more than 4,000 chemicals in it - 200 are deadly and
50 are known to cause cancer.
- Tobacco-related illnesses kill 6,000 Wisconsin residents a year.
For more information about the program or to set up a presentation, contact
the medical society at: 1-800-362-9080, extension 230.
Posted December 3, 1998