On March 24, young people throughout the CNMI, in every state of the nation, and around the world will organize and take action to fight youth tobacco use as part of the National Kick Butts Day Initiative. More than 2,000 events are expected to take place on this celebrated day of youth activism, including a full slate of activities here on Saipan.
Here, hundreds of young advocates, their families, and supporters will march in a parade that begins at 2 p.m. from the San Antonio basketball court to Hopwood Junior High School. Public and private schools have been invited to participate, and to bring banners to show their spirit and solidarity. The program at Hopwood will
include live entertainment, interactive exhibits, and great giveaways, culminating in a rousing dance-off, and wrapping up at 6pm.
This year marks the fifteenth annual Kick Butts Day for the nation, and the fifth annual Kick Butts Day for the CNMI.
“Kick Butts Day is a national day that empowers our CNMI youth to take a stand against the harmful and addictive effects of tobacco use, and embrace a healthy, tobacco-free life,” says 2010 CNMI Kick Butts Day Chair Ricky Itibus. Itibus is a program officer at the Community Guidance Center, which offers substance abuse prevention and counseling services, including a tobacco cessation program.
Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, killing more than 400,000 people every year. In the CNMI, cancer is the second-leading cause of death after heart disease, and tobacco use is a known factor in many of the cancers reported. According to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, which organizes the National Kick Butts Day Initiative, almost 90 percent of adults who have been regular smokers began smoking by the time they were 18. Every day, more than 4,000 youngsters try their first cigarettes.
Another 1,000 become addicted smokers, one-third of whom will die prematurely as a result.
In the CNMI, youth smoking rates are staggering — among the highest in the world. In 2000, a Youth Tobacco Survey found that nearly 55 percent of middle school and 85 percent of high school students in the CNMI reported smoking in the last 30 days. “Protecting our young people from tobacco addiction and exposure to secondhand smoke should be one of our highest priorities as a community. Prevention saves lives,” says Dr. Jack Hardy, senior advisor for the Commonwealth Cancer Association, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to cancer awareness, prevention, and support services in the CNMI.
In addition to Saipan youth, their friends, and families, CNMI Kick Butts Day supporters include the Department of Public Health, the Community Guidance Center, the Comprehensive Cancer Control Program, Ayuda Network, the Department of Public Safety, Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program, Northern Marianas College, CREES Program, the Pacific Wellness Center, Marianas Health Services, the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, and the Commonwealth Cancer Association.
For more information about 2010 CNMI Kick Butts Day events, contact Ricky Itibus at 323-6595 or 323-7848, or e-mail [email protected]. For more information about the National Kick Butts Day Initiative, visit www.kickbuttsday.org. For more information about the benefits of quitting smoking and successful strategies for doing so, call the Community Guidance Center’s Quitline at 323-QUIT. For more information about cancer support services and other programs of the Commonwealth Cancer Association, visit www.ccamarianas.org, e-mail [email protected], or call 682-0050.
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