LSU to Celebrate Kick Butts Day to Support a Smoke-Free Campus

LSU student organization Fresh Campus/SmokingWords was awarded $250 by Tobacco-Free Kids to
support Kick Butts Day activities. Kick Butts Day is a national day of activism that empowers youth to
stand out, speak up, and take control against Big Tobacco. Manship School PR students are combining
with Fresh Campus/SmokingWords members to create a memorable, educational event for the student
body. They will have an informational table with giveaways and material about Act 211 and LSUs
progress toward establishing a campus tobacco policy from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 19 in Free Speech
Plaza.
Walk-Ons will cater a tailgate from 4 to 6 p.m. on March 19 on the Journalism Buildings patio;
preceding the LSU baseball game. The tailgate is held to celebrate Kick Butts Day and LSUs progress
toward a smoke-free campus. Special guest Ritney A. Castine, who is the associate director, youth
advocacy, for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, will be in attendance.
Fresh Campus/SmokingWords is a student organization f of educating students about the health and
financial toll associated with tobacco use, to monitor tobacco use in all areas of campus and to advocate
for positive policy and social change in the environment to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke. This
organization will empower students to make decisions and advocate for change that will improve the
environment for all members of the LSU community. The LSU Fresh Campus student organization is one
of 10 chapters in the state sponsored by the Louisiana Tobacco-Free College Initiative.
Why should LSU become tobacco free? More than 90 percent of smokers begin before the age of 26, and
50 percent of those who smoke, as adolescents will continue smoking for at least 16 to 20 years. Tobacco
use is a no-win situation for everyone. According to SmokingWords research, almost 30 percent of our
undergraduates are now smokers and an increasing number are arriving as non-smokers and then start
using tobacco products during their freshman year. Yet, 25 percent of undergraduate students report they
are adversely affected by exposure to secondhand smoke and many avoid Middleton Library and the
Student Union because of the large amount of secondhand smoke near the entrances to these important
locations