(New Philadelphia, Ohio) – The Empower Tusc Coalition, the Tuscarawas County Health Department, Leadership Tusc, and the Newcomerstown High School Teen Leadership Class are hosting a “Don’t Be Fooled By Big Tobacco” event on April 1st, 2023 in honor of National Take Down Tobacco Day. The event will be held at the Wellmore Centre located at 204 2nd St NE, New Philadelphia, OH 44663 from 8am-10am.
The event will feature resource tables from local organizations, an art display from local schools, and a litter clean up walk. Leading up the event, from March 27th through March 31st Newcomerstown Teen Leadership Class will be hosting a spirit week titled, “Dude, Save your Lungs.” Each day will focus on a topic related to vaping and nicotine product use, sharing educational information and resources, and a dress-down theme.
The Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids celebrates their National Day of Action, known as National Take Down Tobacco Day, annually on March 31st. On their Day of Action, youth across the country advocate to expose Big Tobacco, the health risks associated with smoking, and the marketing tactics used to target youth. The art projects displayed at the local event on April 1st are created by local youth from three school districts to advocate against Big Tobacco companies. Attendees of the event can vote to select a “People’s Choice” winner, and the artwork will be displayed throughout the community in the months following the event.
“This event is a new event for Tuscarawas County, but we are hopeful lots of community members will come out to help us in our efforts to clean up downtown New Philadelphia and advocate against Big Tobacco” shared Katelyn Gorius, Public Health Educator and Tuscarawas County Health Department and Empower Tusc Tobacco and Vaping Committee Chair.
In preparation for this event, Tuscarawas County Department Public Health Educators, Leadership Tuscarawas participants, Empower Tusc staff, and local youth will attend a Tuscarawas County Commissioner’s Meeting to ask the Tuscarawas County Commissioners for a proclamation to recognize March 31st as National Take Down Tobacco Day in Tuscarawas County.
For more information related to the event or local prevention efforts visit empowertusc.com.
