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Dear Middle School Parent:

Tobacco use is a serious problem in our community. Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States today. Decreasing tobacco use by our children is a challenge, but parents can have a direct impact on their own families and the entire community. Because of this, the western Racine County Health Department, in collaboration with the western Racine County Tobacco Free Coalition, is working with the western Racine County middle schools to prevent tobacco use and to protect the health of our children. Attaining this goal is impossible without parental support. Please review the following six steps which describe a family-oriented effort to promote health and prevent tobacco-related diseases.

Step 1: Know the Facts.

Earlier this year, 1,600 western Racine County middle school students participated in the Youth Tobacco Surveillance Study designed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These are some of the facts:

Tobacco Use in western Racine County

High school students, grades 6-8 who:	Percentage
Ever tried smoking	23.8%
Smoked during the last month	5.3%
Smoke and want to quit                                                 60.4%
Have tried to quit and failed (started again within a month)   37%
Smoked on 20 or more days during the past month	1.6%
Ever used smokeless tobacco	8.5%
Are exposed to second hand smoke at home	42.5%
Know that tobacco is a harmful substance	92.5%
Never had a parent talk to them about the dangers of tobacco use	26.9%
Additional report information is available at http://www.orghealth/wrc or from the western Racine County Health Department

While adult smoking has generally been declining throughout the country, in recent years the trend has slowed or stopped. In contrast, smoking among kids increased steadily throughout much of the 1990s. Although national underage smoking rates finally dropped slightly from 1997 to 1998, tobacco use remains at historically high levels. Over the past ten years, the number of kids under 18 in the U.S. who become new daily smokers has risen by more than 70 percent. western Racine County’s Youth Tobacco Surveillance Study clearly points to the fact that tobacco use by our children is no small problem.

Smoking tobacco products kills more people than alcohol use, AIDS, car crashes, illegal drugs, murders, and suicides combined. In addition, thousands more die from other tobacco-related causes -- such as fires caused by smoking (more than 1,000 deaths/year nationwide), exposure to second hand smoke (more than 53,000 deaths), and using smokeless tobacco products.

And what are the facts about tobacco use locally? Let’s look at the impact in the state of Wisconsin. Each year 7,800 people die from smoking. The number of Wisconsin kids now under 18 who will die from smoking (if current trends continue) is 117,000. We know that the mortality rate for smokers is 30%. Smokers have a 3 in 10 chance of dying from their routine tobacco use. The Youth Tobacco Survey showed that 5.5% of western Racine County middle school students used tobacco products last month and approximately 2% of students frequently use tobacco products. The rate of tobacco use can be expected to increase from 5.5% for middle school children to 30% by the time these kids reach high school, based on national trends. If we do nothing, the probable premature, and preventable loss of human life is frightening. No parent wants his or her child to ever begin this life-shortening behavior.

Step 2: Be a Role Model

Kids need strong role models. There are no stronger or more influential role models than parents. Set a personal example by not smoking. Likewise, you can prohibit smoking in your home and in family vehicles. Doing so sends a strong message to your child. If you smoke, one of the best reasons to stop is for the sake of your children, not just as a role model, but to avoid exposing your kids to the dangers of second-hand smoke. If you and your child smoke, consider supporting each other in a planned attempt to quit. If your child wants to quit, NOT (Not on Tobacco) is a proven teen cessation program that is offered in western Racine County.

Step 3: Communicate With Your Kids

Encourage your child to participate in activities and to avoid tobacco. The attractive, glamorous lifestyles portrayed in many cigarette advertisements are actually more representative of nonsmokers. Ask whether your child’s friends smoke. The risk of your child smoking is 13 times higher if his or her friends smoke. Most young people smoke their first cigarette with a friend who already smokes. Learn what your child thinks about smoking. Share this letter with your child and discuss it together. Help your child explore personal feelings about peer pressures and smoking. Use nonjudgmental questions and role play with your child to explore ways to handle tough peer situations. Teach the truth about tobacco. The simple facts that smoking causes bad breath and stinky hair and clothes are messages kids need to hear. Believe it or not, kids think that most adults actually do smoke. Reinforce the fact that 75% of adults do NOT smoke and almost all adult smokers actually want to quit. You’re not preaching; you’re stating facts.

Step 4: You Are the Parent and You Set Family Priorities

It’s not easy being a parent. To help your child understand the dangers of smoking and overcome the forces of peer pressure and media forces promoting tobacco use, you must establish a nurturing environment. This is one in which you are actively involved with your child and one in which you acknowledge positive behaviors. Recognize the many pressures that are placed on your child. Discourage and apply reasonable discipline for inappropriate behaviors such as tobacco use. When you exercise these and other parenting skills, you are creating an environment in which positive values and behaviors flourish.

Step 5: Get The Facts

More information is available about communicating with your teen smoking cessation, and tobacco facts. Visit our website at http://www.orghealth.com/wrc or call the western Racine County Health Department (262-763-4930 or 1-800-688-4930).

Step 6: Become an Active Force in western Racine County

Work with your health department and the western Racine County Tobacco Free Coalition, your school, your church, and other community groups to prevent smoking or to help kids stop smoking. There are programs making a difference in the community that are in need of volunteers. You can find out how to volunteer by calling the Health Department or on the internet at http://www.orghealth.com/wrc.

Tobacco use is the single leading preventable cause of death in the United States. The best time to prevent or stop smoking is as early as possible. Please consider acting on the steps listed above. You can make a difference.