Mr. Cigarette’S Goal Is To Snuff Out Smoking

Entertains while teaching children why not to light up

Absolutely no good comes from smoking, and the list of problems is almost endless.

That is the short and sweet message delivered to children by Three Lakes physical education teacher Roger Stevens, better known by some as Mr. Cigarette.

Roger Stevens

Stevens travels to schools in northern Wisconsin entertaining children while demonstrating for them the dangers of getting started with tobacco.

Through the use of various visual aids, audience participation, and genuine enthusiasm, Mr. Cigarette makes the best use of 40 minutes to make an impression on 2nd and 3rd graders. So far, he has presented to about 20 school districts.

“We’ve just scratched the surface,” Stevens said. “There are thousands of children who need to hear about the perils of smoking.”

The program is loud and active and full of enthusiasm from start to finish, when Mr. Cigarette is finally “defeated” and feels as low as a cigarette butt in an ashtray.

Once defeated, Mr. Cigarette disgards his costume and has a heart-to-heart talk with the children. He is assisted in his presentation by school psychologist Debra Straus.

Anyone interested in scheduling a presentation by Mr. Cigarette may contact Stevens by e-mail at stevens@newnorth.net, or visit his Web site at: www.newnorth.net/~stevens.

The only costs are to cover a one-day substitute for Stevens, plus mileage, meals and housing if applicable.

Posted May 31, 2000