More than 70 local students and base personnel banned together for the nationwide fight against tobacco use March 23. Members of the Jackson County Students Working Against Tobacco and volunteer Airmen participated in the 16th annual Kick Butts Day. This event allows students to stand up and speak out, educating their peers about the dangers of cigarettes and other tobacco products, while also encouraging local elected officials to promote legislation supporting Tobacco-Free Park ordinances.
The students filled the Altus Community Center with displays showcasing the risks of prolonged tobacco use, including emphysema, lung cancer and stroke. They posted statistics from the Oklahoma Health Department stating tobacco use costs $1.16 billion in health care bills each year in Oklahoma. Also more than 19,000 kids are trying cigarettes for the first time each year, possibly resulting in a life-long habit.
Tobacco Coordinator for the Jackson County Tobacco Education Program, Tonya Pogue, said this is their chance to stop that cycle.
"To change the social norm, that's what it's really about," Pogue said. "Not to attack smokers by our program - that's not what we are about at all - but truly just bringing awareness to our kids to make sure they're the generation that doesn't start, so we can end this epidemic."
The group also set up a display of 1,200 white crosses on the community center lawn, representing the number of Americans dying daily from tobacco use. There were also 16 red crosses, representing the Oklahomans dying every day from using tobacco.
Airman First Class Thomas Crolius, 97th Contracting Squadron, volunteered his time setting up the crosses. He said seeing that visual display up-close, and even from the road, has quite an impact.
"Seeing all these crosses out here that represent the tobacco deaths, it hits home because you imagine these as people," Airman Crolius said. "I used to smoke so it hits home a lot. This is a great event because I realize firsthand how much better my life is now that I'm not smoking. I can breathe easier, I can run, and my clothes don't stink like smoke."
Airman First Class Angelique Tetrault, 97th Contracting Squadron, volunteered for Kick Butts Day because she knew the students needed help, but also because smoking has affected her personally. Her entire immediate family used to be daily smokers, but due to Airman Tetrault's concern for their health, they quit. Because of her family's determination, Airman Tetrault wants to continue to help others become aware of the dangers of tobacco use.
"Hammering these crosses in - it's just all those lives that you know are gone because of that, and when someone so close to you is smoking, I just can't stand that," Airman Tetrault said. "So when my family quit, knowing they quit for you, and for them, it's just overwhelming to see it."
According to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, tobacco use is the number-one cause of preventable death in the United States - killing more than 400,000 people and costing $96 billion in health care bills each year. While the nation has made significant progress in reducing youth smoking, 19.5 percent of high school students still smoke.
Pogue said this year's event was a success thanks to the dedication of the students and the help of the volunteer Airmen.
"I'm very appreciative of them," Pogue said. "We couldn't have done it without them."