15th Annual Arkansas Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug-Free Kids Day
15th Annual Arkansas Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug-Free Kids Day
“TAKE DOWN TOBACCO: National Day of Action”
For the past 15 years, the Arkansas Youth Leadership Initiative, a program of the Family Service Agency Inc., has recognized and celebrated the annual Kick Butts Day, in conjunction with our national partner, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK).
Over the past quarter-century, the U.S. has made remarkable progress in doing just what the Kick Butts Day name describes: kicking butts. But, even though youth smoking rates have decreased over the years, and are at an all-time low, nonetheless, we are now confronted with skyrocketing youth e-cigarettes use rates that are rapidly reversing the progress we’ve made toward achieving the first tobacco-free generation. The tobacco industry is known to peddle a wide range of addictive and dangerous products that put our kids at risk.
Recognizing the need to widen its tobacco prevention scope from just “Kicking Butts”, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids made an intentional decision to re-brand the annual Kick Butts Day…it’s now known as “Take Down Tobacco: National Day of Action”. Not only are youth, but adults alike are encouraged and empowered to stand up and speak out against the predatory, tobacco industry.
This year’s Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action will be held on March 18, 2020, in most communities across the country. However, due to scheduling conflicts, Arkansas’s event will be held one day early, on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.
You are invited to join us for this national day of action. Let you voice blend with those of the numerous primary, middle and high school students, community groups, young adults, health advocates, elected and appointed officials, and other concerned citizens for an 11:30 a.m. youth-led rally, followed by an 11:45 press conference on the steps of the Arkansas State Capitol. All attendees are strongly encouraged to arrive by 11:00 a.m.
There have been many important victories since the first Kick Butts Day was held in 1996. Take Down Tobacco Day of Action is a reflection of both how far we’ve come, and how far we still need to go to achieve the first tobacco-free generation. We can’t cross that finish-line without the support of people like you. So, please join us, Tuesday, March 17, 2020, for Arkansas’s Tobacco-Free Kid’s Day, A Day of Action. On March 17th, we will:
- Raise awareness of the problem of tobacco use in our communities
- Encourage youth to reject the tobacco industry’s deceptive marketing practices, and stay tobacco and vape free.
- Urge elected officials to take action to protect kids from all tobacco and vape products, including flavored ones, especially menthol.
How Do I Register?
Registration is FREE and lunch will be provided for ALL REGISTERED ATTENDEES. Deadline for registration, with a meal included is March 15, 2020.
REGISTER ONLINE AT surveymonkey.com/r/ATODFREE2020
ATOD Free Kids Day 2020 Planning Committee: Family Service Agency, Inc., Little Rock School District, City of Little Rock, Department of Community Programs, Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Arkansas, Project Prevent, Centers For Healing Hearts and Spirit, Brandon House Art of Tobacco.
For more information, visit our website at www.aryouthlead.org; send an email to gperez@aryoutlead.org, or by call Genine LaTrice Perez at (501) 372-4242 ext. 752 or via cell at (501) 310-0607.
Let’s TAKE DOWN TOBACCO!
Together, We Can Do It!!!
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