Local teens promote Great American Smokeout
RCASA Newsflash
November 19, 2009
READING - The Reading Coalition Against Substance Abuse (RCASA) continues their mission to reduce substance abuse and expand coalition efforts.
The RCASA Youth Crew recently launched the RMHS Student Crew, a new chapter to promote youth discussion and prevention at Reading Memorial High School. The first activity for the student chapter was to join forces with youth from around the state through the 84 movement. The 84 represents the percentage of youth in Massachusetts that choose not to use tobacco.
The 84 promotes youth-driven activities on tobacco prevention including national campaigns. Today is the Great American Smokeout, the American Cancer Society's nationally recognized day when it advocates for people to put down their cigarettes, cigars, spit tobacco and other tobacco products. The Reading Memorial High School faculty was provided with materials from the 84 to promote the Support a Quitter. Start a Revolution! Campaign as part of this special effort on 11/19/09.
What can you do to support current smokers? Let someone you know that you care about their health, and there's help out there to quit, like www.trytostop.org or 1-800-TRY-TO-STOP (1-800-879-8678). Try to stop provides free phone counseling and support to quit smoking.
What can you do to prevent tobacco use? Let someone you know that the majority of youth do not use tobacco. Connect them to resources such as www.the84.org to learn more about supporting the many youth who live a tobacco free lifestyle. RCASA also welcomes new members to join the RCASA Student Crew at RMHS. The groups meet every Tuesday afterschool, for more info, contact emcnamara [at] ci [dot] reading [dot] ma [dot] us or encourage students to see Mr. Zaya, Director of Wellness at RMHS for details.
