Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: March 17, 2009 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. -e, <br /> SUBJECT: Proclamation Recognizing Kick Butts Day <br /> DEPARTMENT: Orange County Health Dept. PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Kick Butts Day Proclamation Rosemary Summers, 245-2412 <br /> PURPOSE: To consider a proclamation recognizing March 25, 2009 as Orange County Kick <br /> Butts Day. <br /> BACKGROUND: Tobacco use contributes to many health consequences including heart <br /> disease and various types of cancer. Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death <br /> in the US and, in 2006, the Surgeon General concluded that no amount of exposure to second <br /> hand smoke is safe. Eighty percent of adult smokers started smoking before the age of 18. <br /> Preventing youth from starting tobacco use as teens makes them less likely to become life long <br /> smokers. <br /> In 2003 Orange County Health Department received funding from the NC Health and Wellness <br /> Trust Fund (HWTF) for the Tobacco Reality Unfiltered (TRU) Program to prevent teens from <br /> using tobacco and provide support for those who want to quit. Since that time tobacco use <br /> among middle school and high school students has decreased in Orange County. The TRU <br /> program continues to serve as an outstanding advocate concerning the dangers of tobacco use <br /> through peer education, merchant education, media campaigns, and community service. The <br /> Health Department recently received a grant award from HWTF for 3 more years of funding for <br /> teen tobacco prevention. <br /> Kick Butts Day, founded by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, is a national day of activism <br /> that empowers youth to speak out and take action against tobacco use. Orange County TRU <br /> annually organizes Kick Butts Day events at local high schools to raise awareness about the <br /> harmful effects of tobacco use among youth. The Orange County Health Department <br /> recommends March 25, 2009 be recognized as Orange County Kick Butts Day. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: None <br /> RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board approve the attached <br /> proclamation recognizing March 25, 2009 as Orange County Kick Butts Day. <br />