Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United Sates, causing more than 440,000 deaths each year and resulting in an annual cost of more than $75 billion in direct medical costs.

Since the release of the first Surgeon General’s Report in 1964, the scientific knowledge about the health consequences of tobacco use has greatly increased. It is now well-documented that smoking cigarettes causes chronic lung and heart disease, cancer of the lung, esophagus, larynx, mouth and bladder. 

Cigarette smoking contributes to cancer of the pancreas, kidney, and cervix.

Nationally, smoking results in more than 5.6 million years of potential life lost each year. In West Virginia, 1 out of 5 deaths are tobacco-related, annually resulting in approximately 4,200 deaths.

Particularly alarming is the fact that more than 3 million young people under the age of 18 smoke half a billion cigarettes each year, and more than one-half of them consider themselves dependent upon cigarettes. 

The decision to use tobacco is nearly always made in the teen years, and about one-half of young people usually continue to use tobacco products as adults.

Kick Butts Day is an annual initiative that encourages activism and leadership among elementary, middle, and high school students. 

It’s the day America’s kids stand up to tobacco, and America’s adults stand up for kids. 

Kick Butts Day, scheduled this year for April 2, rallies and events take place in every state, and several nations, showing that kids are powerful voices in the fight against tobacco.

If you know individuals that use tobacco, encourage them to get help to kick the habit. 

For more information about cessation contact the WV Tobacco Quit Line at 1-877-966-8784.  

For information about prevention programs in your area, contact RESA VIII Tobacco Prevention Specialist, Donna Kuhn at 304-257-2641 or djkuhn@access.k12.wv.us.