The participants carried huge banners and shouted chants on the dangers of smoking.
2010 CNMI Kick Butts Day chair Ricky Itibus told the Variety that the huge turnout was unexpected.
“I’m very happy that more students are now joining the campaign to kick the smoking habit, and we are asking the community to join us in working to decrease the staggering figures of youth smokers each year,” Itibus said.
The participants were from Kagman Elementary School, Oleai Elementary School, Tanapag Elementary School, San Vicente Elementary School, William S. Reyes Elementary School, Chacha Junior High School, Hopwood Junior High School, Marianas High School and Kagman High School.
Students from each school also pitted their skills in a dance competition after the march.
Commonwealth Cancer Association program manager Tina Sablan told the Variety that she was very glad to see the tremendous response of the students to the advocacy against tobacco use
“This is a very critical time for the CNMI because the latest statistics showed we are among those with the highest rates of youth smoking in the world,” Sablan said.
She urged everyone, especially the parents, to start educating their children regarding the dangers of cigarettes and smoking at an early age.
“When parents smoke in the home, the children can inhale second hand smoke and this is just as dangerous. I encourage the parents and the children to browse helpful and informative sites such as whatareyousmoking.org and other sites,” she said.
Exhibitors who offered their services yesterday included the Department of Public Health, the Community Guidance Center, the Comprehensive Cancer Control Program, the Ayuda Network, the Department of Public Safety, the Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program, Northern Marianas College-Cooperative Research, Extension and Education Service, the Pacific Wellness Center, the Marianas Health Services, the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, and the Commonwealth Cancer Association.
Yesterday’s event marked the 15th annual Kick Butts Day in the nation, and the fifth in the CNMI.
