March 29, 2006

'Kickin' It' teaches kids the dangers of tobacco use

Annual soccer event combines technique, education to help prevent kids from using tobacco

ANN ARBOR, MI – More than 2,000 kids become addicted to nicotine every day, and one in three will die prematurely as a direct result of tobacco use. To raise youngsters’ awareness of the dangers of tobacco use and help them avoid the lure of tobacco marketing campaigns, the University of Michigan Tobacco Consultation Service, part of the MFit Health Promotion Division, will host “Kickin’ It,” an event that combines soccer instruction with tobacco education activities for youngsters in grades 1 through 8.

Washtenaw County youth can attend this annual event, from 9:30 a.m. to noon, Saturday, May 6, Huron High School in the domed gymnasium, 2727 Fuller Rd. (across from Gallup Park). Attendees will have the opportunity to work with local soccer club members in a mini soccer clinic. The clinic will emphasize goal-tending, passing, dribbling and scoring, and youth will participate in several interactive tobacco education activities.

This event follows Kick Butts Day, an annual celebration of youth advocacy, leadership and activism organized by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, on April 5. Registration for “Kickin’ It” is free. Space is limited to 300 participants. Schools and organizations are encouraged to register in groups. Participants will receive a T-shirt and souvenir.

All participants must pre-register for the event and complete a medical release/consent form by calling Lisa Roberts, at (734) 936-5988 or by visiting www.med.umich.edu/mfit/tobacco. 

For more information about keeping kids tobacco free, visit http://kickbuttsday.org/

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