For immediate release

For more information: Helena Peterson 207 667-5304 ext 232

Ellsworth, Dec 4, 2001 -- You know who’s the biggest target of Big Tobacco? It’s children. That’s right. Big Tobacco needs to hook their next generation of customers to replace the one that they are now killing off. And with their billion dollar ad campaigns targeted right at kids, Big Tobacco is really good at it. It’s why more than one in four Maine teens smoke and why 7,000 more Maine kids start smoking every year.

Thirteen local students from four different schools have formed Kids Against Tobacco (KAT,) a new smoking prevention team sponsored by Coastal Hancock Healthy Communities. The group began with a 3 day leadership training program in October at Camp Kieve in Nobleboro, where the group created project plans to reduce tobacco use in young people.

This dynamic group has already created a logo and appeared in the Ellsworth Christmas parade on December 1^st. One of their next projects will be to develop a KAT webpage.

Members are Nichole Austin, Anna Briggs, Jessica Broughman, Tiffany Corbett, Randy Mosley, Peter Poors, Jr., Jackie Royal, and Maggie Seavey of Ellsworth Middle School; Amy Niemczura, Donald Smith, and Jared Tucker of Ellsworth High; Matt Perkins of Bucksport Middle School, and Casey Bunker of Bucksport High.

The next meeting will be Tuesday, December 11^th at 6:00 PM at Ellsworth Middle school. Interested students ages 12 -17 are invited. New members will receive a free KAT t-shirt and become eligible to participate in exciting KAT activities. Refreshments are served. Call Karen Logan at 667-5304 ext. 259 for details.