Kids in Michigan will stand up against tobacco on March 19 as they join thousands of young people nationwide for the 19thannual Kick Butts Day. More than 1,400 events are planned across the nation. (See below for a list of local events.)

Organized by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Kick Butts Day is an annual celebration of youth leadership and activism in the fight against tobacco. On Kick Butts Day, youth will encourage their peers to stay tobacco-free and educate their communities about the tobacco industry's harmful marketing practices. 

(Aslo see: 

Georgia Kids Will 'Kick Butts' on March 19 State Leaders Urged to Support Tobacco Prevention Initiatives )

This year, Kick Butts Day comes as new information reaffirms the urgent need for action.The United States is marking the 50th anniversary of the first Surgeon General's Report on Smoking and Health, and a new Surgeon General's report released in January found that smoking is even more hazardous than previously thought. Key findings of the report include:

  • Each year, smoking kills 480,000 people in the U.S. and costs the nation at least $289 billion in health care bills and other economic losses.
  • Without urgent action to reduce smoking, 5.6 million U.S. children alive today will die prematurely from smoking-caused disease. That includes 213,000 children inMichigan alone.
  • Tobacco marketing causes kids to start and continue using tobacco products.

Nationwide, tobacco companies spend $8.8 billion a year – one million dollars each hour – to market cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products. In particular, tobacco companies target youth with magazine ads, store ads and discounts, and fruit- and candy-flavored small cigars that look just like cigarettes.

"On Kick Butts Day, kids will stand up and reject Big Tobacco's manipulative marketing," saidMatthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "Elected officials must stand with them by supporting proven measures to protect kids from tobacco addiction, including tobacco taxes, smoke-free laws and prevention programs. On the 50th anniversary of the first Surgeon General's report, we need bold action to create a tobacco-free generation and end the tobacco epidemic for good."

In Michigan alone, tobacco use claims 14,200 lives and costs $4.6 billion in health care bills each year. Currently, 14 percent of the state's high school students smoke.

On Kick Butts Day, kids turn the tables on Big Tobacco in creative ways, with events that range from small classroom activities about the harmful ingredients in cigarettes to large rallies at state capitols.

Activities in Michigan include:

The Grand Rapids Urban League and the Urban Fellows will host a Kick Butts carnival at Grand Rapids Community College to raise awareness of the harmful effects of smoking, and how African Americans and youth are specifically targeted by tobacco companies. The carnival will also commemorate the anniversary of the Surgeon General's report. Time: 11 AM. Location: Raider Grille, 143 Bostwick Avenue Northeast, Grand Rapids. Contact: Lisa Butler (616) 633-6788.

The Mayor of Owosso will read a proclamation to students of Bryant Elementary Schoolto kick off their Kick Butts Day celebration. Time: 8:55 AM. Location: 925 Hampton Street,Owosso. Contact: Henry Reinewald (810) 845-8672.

SAFE (Substance Abuse Free Environment) Youth in Emmet and CharlevoixCounties are partnering with local coffee shops to promote a tobacco free lifestyle by placing stickers on coffee cups sold throughout Kick Butts Day. The stickers will read, "Save your lungs, Save your life. Kick Butts Day 2014." Time: 7 AM. Location: 3473 Michigan 119,Harbor Springs. Contact: Susan Pulaski (231) 347-5813.

(Note: all events are on March 19 unless otherwise indicated.)

For a full list of Kick Butts Day events in Michigan, visit http://www.kickbuttsday.org/map. Additional information about tobacco, including state-by-state statistics, can be found at www.tobaccofreekids.org.

SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

CONTACT: William Walters, 202-745-5068, or Catherine Butsch, 202-296-5469

DISTRIBUTED: WASHINGTONMarch 13, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

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