Moundsville, WV – February 3, 2009:

Marshall County Expands Tobacco Prevention Efforts

Despite knowing the heath risk associated with tobacco use, millions of Americans continue to smoke daily. Recently, The American Lung Association (ALA) handed out grades to all the states for their anti-smoking measures. West Virginia received an “F” overall but the ALA awarded Marshall County a “B” in their efforts to reduce smoking throughout the county. This includes making bars, restaurants and other public places smoke free. Through a grant from the American Lung Association, the Marshall County FRN, the Marshall County Tobacco Prevention Coalition and the Marshall County Anti-Dug Coalition have expanded their prevention efforts to include a media campaign targeting youth 11-18 yrs old.

According to the Department of Health and Human Resources and the Center for Disease Control, 82% of tobacco users begin smoking during their teenage years. As many teens are well aware, the amount of peer pressure and negative influences surrounding smoking can be overwhelming at times. Whether its characters on a favorite show smoking a pack an episode, a family member lighting up while they’re sitting right next to them or a close friend who flaunts their desire for cigarettes on their MySpace page, youth find themselves at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to avoiding this unsafe habit. The “Don’t Let Your Life Go Up in Smoke” campaign looks to help teens by informing them that even though they may feel they have many influences that view smoking as a positive, tobacco can have serious health implications and can avoided by not starting.

The campaign will include a billboard, banners, PSA’s and posters in local retail stores with a message of “Want to know how to quit smoking? Don’t Start!” The message and campaign provide a unique approach to getting those who smoke to stop and to prevent others from not starting. With the words “Don’t Start, this campaign reminds smokers and nonsmokers of how simple it is to avoid getting involved with tobacco. For more information on the fight against tobacco, visit the American Lung Association’s website at www.lungusa.org and for information on the local organizations supporting this cause, log on to www.marshallcountfrn.com.