‘Kick Butts’ and save lives

‘Kick Butts’ and save lives

From State Representative Deborah Ferguson Our state Capitol always looks best when yellow school buses line the street in front. Students always impress us with their eagerness to learn more about public service and their willingness to speak out on issues important to them.

I witnessed that first hand this week as hundreds of students from all over the state came here to take action against tobacco use on the national day of activism known at Kick Butts Day.

Smoking causes more deaths each year than illegal drug use, alcohol use, mother vehicle injuries and firearm related combined.

In Arkansas, tobacco use claims more than 4,900 lives annually.

We have passed laws making it more difficult to smoke in front of children… making it illegal to smoke in public buildings, making it illegal for parents to smoke in the car with children, and this year one of the bills I introduced makes it illegal for anyone to use electronic cigarettes in schools or hospitals.

Although we have passed these laws to curb its use, we must all act as an example if we want to see a healthier Arkansas.

Studies have shown that much of the learning that occurs during our children’s development is gained through observation and imitation.

Research shows that when parents increase their physical activity, their children increase their physical activity.

When we eat fruits and vegetables, our kids eat fruit and vegetables.

And when we stay away from tobacco our kids stay away from tobacco. Research bears this out. If both parents smoke, children are four times more likely to start smoking than if neither parent smokes.

Very few adults take up smoking for the first time.

Two thirds of smokers say they began before they were legally old enough to buy cigarettes and 9 out of 10 before the age of 19.

The healthy choices we make.. today as adults… has a lasting impact on future generations.

We can’t lose by eating right, exercising, and staying away from tobacco.

Not only will we live longer and feel better, we become better parents better grandparents and give better quality of life to the next generation. Health always wins.