Tom Bean High School FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America) members are on a mission:  to educate their peers and younger students about the dangers of tobacco use. 

“Smoking and dipping are seen as the cool thing to do…sort of a 'rite of passage' for some teenagers, especially in rural communities.  However, a survey of our high school student body showed that only 87% uses tobacco in any form,“ says FCCLA president Lindsey Holder.

“Building on that positive statistic, we want to emphasize that there are LOTS of cool teenagers who have chosen a Tobacco-Free lifestyle,” added vice president Brianna Stowers.

We wanted to educate younger teens in middle school about the health dangers of smoking, using smokeless tobacco, and secondhand smoke.  We presented this information during their health classes, showing posters and disturbingly graphic models, such as “Mr. Gross Mouth,” “Mr. Dip Lip,” and “Jar of Tar.” 

The most alarming thing to most of these students were the components of cigarette smoke, including acetone, DDT, formaldehyde, arsenic and lead.   We identified the ploys tobacco companies use to get youth to use their products, and students had an opportunity to write a letter to the tobacco industry leaders, vowing to reject their ads.

100% of the students we taught pledged to be tobacco-free!

Tom Bean fourth- and fifth-graders were also targeted with this project.  They helped emphasize the “87%” with a coloring contest, and we presented age-appropriate information to them during their P.E. class.   Students participated in activities that illustrated the effect smoking has on lung capacity, as well as on the sense of smell and taste.  FCCLA members provided activity booklets to each child to enforce the Tobacco-Free message.

Tom Bean High School FCCLA will partner with NHS and other school organizations to host an area-wide “Kicking Butts and Taking Names” youth rally on March 22, to coincide with National Kick Butts day.  Motivational speakers, information, food, and FUN are on the agenda!  Students and sponsors from area high schools and middle schools are urged to call Mrs. Sharon Stephens, FCCLA advisor at 903-546-6319 for more information.