Tar Wars in Local Schools
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Nearly 90 percent of adult smokers took up the habit before they turned 19 — in other words, before they were old enough to realize they might not live forever. One out of every three smokers can expect to die of a disease caused by cigarettes.”
Other alarming statistics that may surprise you:
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“Every year 63,000 children in Pennsylvania become daily smokers – for many it will be a lifelong addiction.
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Tobacco use is responsible for more than 430,000 deaths per year or one in every five deaths. Subsequent mortality from tobacco is annually greater than that from drug abuse, AIDS, suicide, homicide and motor vehicle accidents combined.
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Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death and disease in our Nation. Secondhand smoke is the third most preventable cause.
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60% of smokers start using cigarettes by age 13
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Studies have shown that school-based prevention programs can significantly reduce or delay adolescent smoking.”
Recognizing the need for education of our young people about the dangers of smoking, the Tar Wars program focuses on short-term, image-based consequences of tobacco use and teaches children how to think critically about tobacco advertising. Through this program, Tar Wars partners community physicians with schools and reaches approximately 500,000 students annually.
This year, Dr. Stephen Rittenhouse of Landisville Family Health Center was able to present Tar Wars to Landisville Intermediate Center and Centerville Elementary School. Two students (one from each of the schools visited) submitted winning posters for the State Tar Wars Poster Contest. Jordan Stief of Landisville Intermediate won first place (pictured top right), and Erin Addie of Centerville Elementary won third place (pictured bottom left). The first place winner will have his poster submitted to the national Tar Wars poster contest—best of luck Jordan!
If you are interested in participating in the Tar Wars program (sponsorship or volunteer), please contact the state program director at (717) 564-5365 or (800) 648-5623.
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1st Place: Jordan Stief (Landisville Intermediate)
3rd Place: Erin Addie (Centerville Elementary)
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