SMITHVILLE, Tenn. – Students from DeKalb Middle School SADD Club (Students Against Destructive Decisions) took part in Red Ribbon Week October 23-31, 2019. Red Ribbon Week is a nationwide campaign that has been providing drug awareness since 1985.

“We are very proud of the young people in DeKalb County who are doing what they can to reduce tobacco use and help save lives,” said Michael Railling. “It’s very important that we raise awareness of the dangers of tobacco use in our state and community.”

DeKalb Middle School SADD Club took part in Red Ribbon Week this year by setting up a tobacco booth at lunch to educate their peers on the dangers of tobacco and e-cigarette use. The SADD Club also had a tobacco message, “STOP SMOKING! START LIVING!” displayed on their school fence.

Statistics from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids show 9.4 percent of high school students or 31,900 teenagers in Tennessee are smokers and 11.5% of those students use e-cigarettes. The organization also reports 2,200 Tennessee children and teenagers become new daily smokers each year. Statistics also show how deadly this daily habit can be:  the group estimates 125,000 children and teens now alive in Tennessee will ultimately die prematurely as a result of smoking.

Tennessee youth are making great strides in reducing tobacco use thanks to the TNSTRONG movement. TNSTRONG stands for “Tennessee Stop Tobacco and Revolutionize Our New Generation”. It was developed by and for Tennessee teens. Join the movement on Facebook @TNSTRONGmovement, on Twitter @TN_STRONG and on Instagram @tn.strong.