The Boys & Girls Club Takes a Stand Against Tobacco

BGC-Kickbutts-Day-2011-004Members from the Duneland Boys & Girls Club joined thousands of kids across the country who took part in Kick Butts Day, a nationwide initiative that makes kids leaders in the effort to stop youth tobacco use. As part of the Kick Butts Day celebration, club members picked up cigarette butts throughout the neighborhood. They also signed a banner "Taking a Stand Against Tobacco".

Throughout the year, young advocates take part in a variety of activities to protect kids from tobacco, including working with elected officials to develop policies that reduce youth tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke and educating their peers about tobacco companies’ deceptive marketing practices. Members of the Duneland Club recently attended a Chesterton Town Council Meeting and expressed their feelings toward the proposed smoking ban. "Some of our members would like to attend another meeting and show the council the signed banner and ask them to take a stand against tobacco," said Joe Juarez Duneland's Unit Supervisor. "They are very passionate about being against tobacco and they would like to see our town take a stand on the issue."

Kids are a powerful part of the solution to reducing youth tobacco use,” said Matthew L. Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, which coordinates Kick Butts Day. “For Kick Butts Day 2011, kids are sending two important messages: they want the tobacco industry to stop targeting them with advertising and they want elected leaders at all levels to do more to protect them from tobacco.”

The Boys & Girls Club of Porter County provides diverse activities for children ages 5 to 18 emphasizing character and leadership, education and career development, the arts and fitness and recreation.

BGCPCThe club operates facilities in Valparaiso, South Haven, Duneland and Portage. For more information on becoming a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County, volunteer opportunities or to make a tax deductible donation, please call your local Club or call (219) 464-7282 or visit www.bgcpoco.org.