Kick Butts Day promotes tobacco-free living

Has tobacco had an impact on your life? If so, you could win an Apple iPod just for telling the story.

As part of HFM BOCES’ Kick Butts Day on February 18 and 19, Reality Check and the Tobacco-Free Healthy School Program announced an essay contest to collect students' stories of how tobacco has affected their life or the life of someone they know.

The Alternative High School and Career and Technical Center welcomed the two groups to participate in the drive to make HFM BOCES smoke-free.

Bridget Rocco, Coordinator of the Tobacco-Free Healthy Schools Policy Program at Catholic Charities of Fulton & Montgomery Counties placed an informational display in the cafeteria and handed out free pens, wristbands, bookmarks and other literature to students that stopped by the table.

HFM BOCES adopted a revised Comprehensive Tobacco Policy in 2009-10 that not only prohibits smoking in school and on school grounds, but extends the prohibition to include possession of any type of tobacco product, related paraphernalia such as lighters, matches and rolling papers, or any kind of tobacco-related promotional items. The policy remains in effect at all times, 24-hours a day, at all school activities on campus and off.

Guidance counselor Charis Carangelo speaks with a BOCES student about ways to quit smoking.

“We never bash smokers,” Ms. Rocco said. “We understand that they are addicted to nicotine, and want to engage them in a discussion about quitting.”

Plenty of evidence exists that confirms the dangers of tobacco use. According to the American Cancer Society, tobacco kills more Americans each year than alcohol, cocaine, crack, heroin, homicide, suicide, car accidents, fire and AIDS combined.

Teen smoking continues to be a major problem despite trends that indicate fewer people use tobacco overall. The Centers for Disease Control estimate that approximately 3,000 kids under the age of 18 start smoking every day in the U.S.

While the new BOCES policy has disciplinary teeth, including restriction of privileges and suspension, the real emphasis is on providing help and counseling for those that want to quit—both staff and students. Kick Butts Day made many resources easily available for anyone ready to take the big step.

Fighting the urge to smoke? Remember the
5 Ds.

Delay a minute or two and the urge will pass.

Drink water
to fight cravings

Do something else to distract you.

Deep breathe for relaxation. Take 10 slow deep breaths.

Discuss your thoughts and feelings with someone.

Some giveaways, like the “smoking calculator,” illustrate the high financial impact of smoking – a one pack a day smoker can expect to pay $2,200 this year for cigarettes – while promoting the benefits of quitting. Did you know that just 24 hours without smoking reduces your risk of a heart attack?

Entries for the Share Your Story Essay Contest should be turned in to the HFM BOCES Guidance Office no later than Friday, March 5. There are few rules. Essays can be any length – no minimum word or page count - as long as the essay is a true account of the negative impact of tobacco on your life. The grand prize is a “prize pack” including an Apple iPod. The grand prize winner and runner-up winners will be announced during the week of March 15.

Are you trying to quit. Call the New York State Smokers’ Quitline at 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487) or visit www.nysmokefree.com