The Knox County Health Department will be doing their part this week to keep youth from starting a habit of using tobacco.
Wednesday is “Kick Butts Day”, a day designed to empower youth to speak up and resist having tobacco control their lives.
Erin Olson, Director of Wellness and Health says members of the Health Department will be engaging with students at area high schools Tuesday through Thursday during lunch hours.
They’ll have tables set up that will showcase some ingredients found in cigarettes, a showing of healthy vs. unhealthy lungs and a display they call “Gross Mouth.”
Today they’ll be stationed at Knoxville High School, Galesburg tomorrow and Abingdon-Avon on Thursday.
Also in honor of “Kick Butts Day” Wednesday, Kuk-Sool Won in Galesburg will host a “kick-a-thon” involving local martial arts schools.
Olson says that more than 400,000 people in the U.S. will die this year from a tobacco related disease and 90% of smokers start using tobacco by the time they’re 18.
