Students tackle smoking

Name of program: Spokane Teens Against Tobacco

What it does: This program encourages high school students in Spokane County to fight smoking.

Scott Roy, the tobacco program coordinator at Spokane Regional Health District, said the kids are involved in many activities and fundraising events to help warn peers and family members about the dangers of tobacco.

One activity is retailer compliance checks. The members are given money and go into a store with their own identification and try to buy cigarettes.

The goal is to get retailers to be vigilant about not selling tobacco to underage kids.

The students hand out Quit Kits during the Great American Smoke-Out and promote Kick Butts Day and World No Tobacco Day.

Perhaps one of the group’s favorite events is the Relay for Life.

The kids raise money for cancer research and other programs for the American Cancer society by walking a track all night long.

Names of families that have been affected by cancer are read out loud, as well as the names of cancer survivors.

“It’s a great opportunity for kids to get involved in community service,” said Roy.

Who runs it: Spokane Regional Health District and Tobacco Prevention and Control.

How to get involved: Students interested in joining STAT can call the program adviser, Jill Dickson, at 324-1466, or the Tobacco Program’s general number at 324-1553.

Typical members: This year, there are students from seven Spokane County high schools: Shadle Park, Lewis and Clark, North Central, Gonzaga Prep, East Valley, Havermale Alternative and Ferris.

The program has a lot of seniors involved this year and will be looking for younger high school students to get involved.

The group meets Monday nights, except during the holiday season, at Spokane Regional Health District, 1101 W. College Ave., at 6 p.m.