Despite the fact that tobacco use is the number one preventable cause of death in the United States, many Myers Park students choose to ignore the statistics. "The data are scary," says Dr. Ron Thomas, advisor for Myers Park's "Students Against Smoking and Cancer" club. "Unless we educate them, there are Myers Park students who will die from tobacco related diseases. Our challenge is to change their minds and hearts."

The use of tobacco by teens is particularly important because almost all first tobacco use occurs before graduation from high school (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2003). Exposure to cigarette ads often leads teens to identify smoking with popularity and relaxation. They are constantly exposed to cigarette ads in magazines, convenience stores, and through promotional events in bars and restaurants. Teens, because of the addictive nature of nicotine, become "hooked" and are the smokers of the future. In a recent Myers Park survey, over half of the students reported seeing anti-smoking ads. Although these messages increased their awareness about the risks of smoking, they did not stop many of them from trying cigarettes if they had already formed positive images about smoking.

Under the supervision of IB Coordinator Dr. Ron Thomas and IB Environmental Systems teacher Robert Corbin, a group of IB students began meeting last Spring to organize a smoking prevention and cessation program on campus. Sensing that they needed a comprehensive plan tailored to Myers Park, a group of IB students met with staff at Duke University Fall, 2003, to discuss a study to investigate student knowledge of and attitude toward smoking at Myers Park. Dr. Isaac Lipkus of Duke University's Comprehensive Cancer Center agreed to lead the study; he enlisted the help of Dr. Paul Bloom of UNC Chapel Hill's Kenan-Flagler Business School.

This year, Myers Park introduced "Students Against Smoking and Cancer" (aka The Oncology Club) to combat Big Tobacco. Members are dedicated to preventing students from smoking and helping smokers to quit. They have attended workshops to develop leadership and communications skills to help them bring an anti-smoking message to their communities.

The ancient Chinese proverb says, "the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." On March 4, 2004, more than 300 Myers Park students stepped up their fight to call student attention to the dangers of teen smoking. During all three lunches, the Oncology Club, IB Student Council, and Sisters Educated and Liberated (SEAL) collaborated to "STOMP OUT SMOKING" at Myers Park.

As hundreds of interested students watched during each lunch period, SEAL members performed an original anti-smoking skit and STEP performance conveying the social undesirability of smoking. The performance encouraged critical thinking skills, served as an outlet for creativity and self-expression, and provided opportunities for students to interact with a new and enlarged group of peers.

During the Step performance, members of the IB Student Council and Oncology Club handed out treat bags containing gum, mints, and scientific and statistical data relating to the dangers of smoking.

The Smoking Cessation campaign has called student attention to the lives that are lost to tobacco use each year. Since the campaign started in the Spring of 2003, over 1200 hundred students have signed a "No Tobacco Use" pledge and nine students have stopped smoking. The message, "Smoking Isn't Cool," has been the cornerstone of the campaign since its founding; this message resonates strongly with students at Myers Park and throughout Mecklenburg County.

According to Dr. Thomas, events like "Stomp Out Smoking" are just the first steps on our journey to raise awareness about teenage tobacco use. "Although we have made progress over the past two year years, we will continue to provide educational resources to meet the challenges of the future and provide answers to the many difficult questions about tobacco use, prevention, and smoking cessation among Myers Park students."