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Youth tobaccouse prevention project returns
WARM SPRINGS and MONTEREY - The Virginia Rural Health Resource Center, in cooperation with the Bath and Highland counties public school systems, will be conducting tobacco use prevention programs for youths at all schools, in Bath and Highland, for the sixth consecutive year.
"It is our goal to prevent and reduce the use of tobacco products among the youths of Bath and Highland counties," says Mary Adderton, director of educational services for the Virginia Rural Health Resource Center. Adderton, who manages the Bath- Highland Tobacco-Use Prevention Project for Youth, says she looks forward to working in both school systems for another year.
"It is my goal to get the facts out there," says Adderton. For example, so many people feel that spit tobacco is a safe alternative to smoking. We know that is not true."
Using spit tobacco (chewing tobacco or snuff) is not a safe alternative to smoking. Users still increase their risk of developing cancer of the mouth and throat. Using spit tobacco can cause various forms of cancer in and around the mouth and can cause leukoplakia (a precancerous sore), gum disease, receding gums, tooth loss, heart disease and stroke. In addi- tion, the use of spit tobacco can cause bad breath, tooth abrasion, stained teeth, a lowered sense of taste and smell, and slow healing of mouth wounds.
Each day more than 4,000 children try their first cigarette, and another 2,000 kids under 18 years old become regular, daily smokers. That makes more than 730,000 new under-age daily smokers each year, roughly one-third of whom will eventually die prematurely from a smoke-related disease.
Children in grades 3-8 will take part in the program"Too Good For Drugs" during the 2007-08 school year. High school freshmen will participate in the "Toward No Tobacco Use" program, and sophomores will receive a refresher version of that same program.
There are incentive programs to heighten awareness of the dangers of using tobacco products. Students last school year participated in a variety of anti-tobacco-use activities from having a Relay For Life team, to an anti-smoking poster contest sponsored by art teachers in Highland and Bath counties and 35 students were recognized for their outstanding posters. Some eighth grade students participated in a writing contest.
For more information about the program, contact Adderton at (540) 839-2012.
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