The Grant County DWI Prevention Program and Aldo Leopold Charter School teamed up last week to combat Big Tobacco on Kick Butts Day. Students in Allison Heneghan's two health classes participated in a duo of activities to educate youth about the impact of tobacco use and the health effects of smoking.

The students learned about the health effects of using tobacco, how tobacco is marketed to youth, and the environmental impact of the chemicals found in cigarettes. Then one class chose the "Billions of Butts" activity and cleaned up 2,418 cigarette butts in less than a quarter mile along Hwy 180 with a group of only ten students. The second class chose to "Air Out Big Tobacco's Dirty Laundry." Students created "laundry" on which they wrote quotes and facts pertaining to the lies and marketing techniques used to hook youth. The completed "laundry lines" are located at the Grant County Administration Building, Silver Health Care Family Clinic, Aldo Leopold, and WNMU's Student Life office. CVS also agreed to hang a poster highlighting the activities, as CVS Health is a partner of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, which is the national coordinator of the Kick Butts Campaign.

In addition to the Kick Butts Day activities, students at Aldo Leopold gathered on March 21st to pledge to be the first tobacco-free generation. The Grant County DWI Prevention Program set up the Pledge Poster, students experienced "Smoky Eyes" which mimics the effects of macular degeneration as a result of smoking, and they participated in a demonstration of a healthy lung versus a smoker's lung, while winning prizes for participation.

The Grant County Commission declared March 21 to be Grant County DWI Prevention Program and Aldo Leopold Charter School Kick Butts Day. Kick Butts Day is a national campaign sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids to empower youth to educate their peers and speak up against the social impacts of cigarette smoking.