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Schools

Skaters, Bikers Go to Extremes to Get Their Anti-Smoking Message Out

Professional BMX bikers and skaters performed wild tricks as backdrop for program promoting the dangers of smoking.

As inline skater Eito Yasutoko flipped upside down several feet above the 35-by-50-foot half pipe, emcee Jimmy Coleman announced that 400,000 people in the United States die each year from tobacco use.

Speaking to students at Plainfield Central High School, Coleman sounded off on the dangers of smoking and second-hand smoke while professional BMX bikers and skaters performed wild and extreme tricks.

Coleman told the students, who participated in the assembly today, that tobacco companies don't see them as healthy young individuals but as potential customers.

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The stuntmen are part of California-based ASA Entertainment, which has partnered with the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. They tour throughout the country giving their anti-tobacco message in an innovative and exciting way. The event at Plainfield Central was paid for by the U.S. Marines.

"This is special because it is prevention and a cessation program," said Plainfield Central social worker Anne Comer, who helped organize the event.

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The school has brought in various speakers to speak about the dangers of smoking before, and while they can be entertaining in the auditorium, Comer said she hopes having the extreme sporting event will connect with the students.

Too often, she said, students learn that smoking is dangerous, but they don't think it applies to them.

"Because of the music, the emcee, the action, we hope it catches their attention and keeps their focus," Comer said. "We are trying to keep the message positive and not lecture the kids, but show them there are consequences for the choices they make."

Emcee Coleman said touring schools in Illinois is especially important because the state ranks seventh in the country for tobacco-related deaths, with about 20,000 adult deaths from tobacco products last year alone.

About 18 percent of high school students in Illinois smoke, according to Tobacco Free Kids.

He encouraged the students to research for themselves all the dangers of smoking and second-hand smoke while telling them that states are trying to do their part to help curb smoking by enacting laws to make restaurants and hotels smoke-free.

Sophomore Jacqueline Nelson was impressed. She said the biking stunts were fun to watch and they promoted a good message.

"I like the message," she said. "I don't believe in smoking."

She clapped as the performers did their tricks and noticed that her classmates were also watching. Perhaps the message will help curb teens from picking up the habit, she said.

Sophomore Tyina Ruiz said she hopes the event connected with the students.

"I think it was really helpful to bring awareness for how harmful smoking is and help people who want to stop smoking," she said. "Not a lot of people know the facts of smoking. This was telling us in a fun way. It wasn't boring like in a classroom. I learned more than in the classroom."

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