LEWISTON — Young people from Lewiston High School joined thousands of kids across the country who took part in Kick Butts Day, a nationwide initiative that makes kids leaders in the effort to stop youth tobacco use. As part of the Kick Butts Day celebration, Lewiston High School students wrote out a message by putting plastic cups through the holes in the fence stating, “B Tobacco Free.”

Throughout the year, young advocates take part in a variety of activities to protect kids from tobacco, including working with elected officials to develop policies that reduce youth tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke and educating their peers about tobacco companies’ deceptive marketing practices.

On March 20, elementary, middle and high school students across the country organized events to fight youth tobacco use. Young people participated in a variety of activities such as marching to state capitals and holding rallies, meeting with elected officials and holding flash mobs in busy community spaces.

“Kids are a powerful part of the solution to reducing youth tobacco use,” said Matthew L. Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, which coordinates Kick Butts Day.

Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, killing more than 400,000 people every year. Every day, more than 4,000 kids try their first cigarettes; another 1,000 kids become addicted smokers, one-third of whom will die prematurely as a result.

For information on the national initiative, visit www.kickbuttsday.org.