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Lynn ‘Kick Butt’ at Boston Anti-tobacco Rally

Mar 25, 2011
The Daily Item of Lynn
March 25, 2011

BOSTON — Six Lynn teenagers joined 250 other youth from across the state Wednesday to “kick butt” against tobacco company advertising, packaging and marketing tactics aimed at younger people.

Teens Melissa Ogunbona, Diana Abraham, Michaela Toussaint and other local youth met with state Rep. Donald Wong, R-Saugus, and state Sen. Thomas M. McGee, D-Lynn, and called attention to how tobacco products, including cigarillos, are flavored and packaged in single quantities for sale.

Wednesday’s event was sponsored by the 84 Movement, representing the 84 percent of youth in Massachusetts who do not smoke, according to a press release from Health Resources in Action, which receives funding from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program.

Participating Lynn teenagers included youth in programs sponsored by the Lynn Community Health Center, and Girls Inc. Health Center community health worker Harry Schnur said the rally and legislative meetings were intended to encourage legislators to continue working with young people to reduce teenage smoking and exposure to tobacco marketing.

“This is great to see them involved. It starts with kids and a lot of it has to do with peer pressure. These kids are setting a great example for their own peers,” Wong said.

http://www.thedailyitemoflynn.com/articles/2011/03/25/news/news17.txt
The 84 represents the 84% of Massachusetts teens who choose not to smoke.