South Carolina Kids Kick Butts
On March 15, 2017, youth from around the state celebrated Kick Butts Day by holding events in their communities. Kick Butts Day is an opportunity for youth to stand out, speak up, and seize control against Big Tobacco. Coalitions in the following four counties celebrated Kick Butts Day in South Carolina:
Chester County: Chester County Tobacco Free Coalition
On March 15th, the Chester County Tobacco Free Coalition hosted a Photovoice Reception at the local Chester County Farmers Market to announce the winner of the Photovoice Contest. The goal of this project was to make youth aware of how tobacco affects their daily lives and to share these viewpoints with the public. Local youth were asked to create posters illustrate tobacco’s presence within their community.
Before the big event, the posters were displayed at several public places throughout the county, such as the Chester County Library, Chester Regional Hospital, Chester YMCA, and the Chester Health Department. The public was able to vote for the photo they found most compelling. City and county officials, school district staff, the local newspaper, sheriff and city police, county administrator, parents, students, and coalition members attended the reception.
Greenville County: Greenville Family Partnership
For their Kick Butts Day activities, Greenville Family Partnership spoke with 200 middle school students about tobacco prevention and education. They used the healthy lungs vs smoker’s lungs display to talk about the dangers of smoking and the Mr. Gross Mouth model to discuss the dangers of smokeless tobacco use.
When the students were asked about what they do when they encounter secondhand smoke, they said that if they walk by anyone smoking (ex. downtown/outside a store) they either, “hold their breath” or “try to go around them.” Good decision, kids. Secondhand smoke will make you choke. No joke!
Hampton County: Wade Hampton High School
Wade Hampton High School held a t-shirt design contest for their Kick Butts Day celebration. The winning t-shirt was designed by Wade Hampton student Jailyn LeSan. In addition, more than 50 students at the small Hampton County school committed to living tobacco-free lives.
Contest winner LeSan said, “As a student athlete, I take pride in my body and health. Anything that negatively affects my well-being is not for me. I choose to be tobacco-free because I want to continue through life being healthy. Tobacco use is linked to many health problems, I also want to live longer and enjoy life.” Wise words from a young lady who seems to have her priorities in order. Keep Kicking Butts, Wade Hampton High School!
Barnwell County: Eat Smart Move More Barnwell County
Photos of activities at Williston Elko High School.
Resources
Tobacco-Free Colleges and Universities
Many thanks to Chester County Tobacco Free Coalition, Greenville Family Partnership, Hampton County HYPE, and Eat Smart Move More Barnwell County for contributing to this post.
