Anti-Smoking Video Earns Prize

Students at Barrington Middle School joined thousands of kids across the country by taking part in Kick Butts Day last Wednesday -- a nationwide initiative that makes kids leaders in the effort to stop youth tobacco use. 

Their participation also earned them a prize, according to BAY Team director Kathy Sullivan.

Members of CHOICE, the anti-smoking and drug use group in school, created a 30-second public service announcement, she said. The PSA earned a third prize in the Rhode Island Tobacco Control Network’s statewide competition. See the video above.

Participants included Michaela Andreozzi, Grace Bellamy, Ellie Hines, Andy Ide, Ben Noonan, Michael Pfeffer, Dustine Reich, Dominic Roidoux, Andrea Rodenbaugh, Libby Ryan and Julia Soares.

Throughout the year, the students take part in a variety of activities to protect kids from tobacco use, said Sullivan, 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.

The high school’s BAYouth students held an awareness table in the high school lobby. They displayed the range of chemicals found in a cigarette as well as handing out temporary tattoos and chewing gum.