Kicking butts

Darah Watkins (middle) checks out some anti-smoking information at LHS Tuesday.

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Story Published: Mar 19, 2008 at 10:05 AM PST

Story Updated: Mar 19, 2008 at 10:05 AM PST

By Matt Loveless

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LEWISTON - A group of local high school students are “kicking butts.”

That was the catch phrase of the day Tuesday for Lewiston High School's Health Occupations Students of America or HOSA.

Tuesday was the 13th Annual Kick Butts Day, as part of the Great American Smokeout, aimed at kicking the cigarette butts out of people's mouths.

"We're just trying to get people to stop smoking, like families, family members, and loved ones we don't want to die...,” said senior Angel Helm.

As part of HOSA's project, the group lined the halls of Lewiston High with 1,200 footprints, representing the 1,200 people who die of tobacco-related causes every day in the United States.

"There are a lot of feet everywhere, so it pretty much just says, 'Wow, there's a lot of people that die,'" said junior Darah Watkins. "So, by the kids looking around and seeing how many people have died, and how many feet are hung up, that's a pretty drastic amount."

The students admit it's a challenge to spread an anti-smoking message to their peers.

"They already know that they shouldn't be smoking, and it's hard to talk people into stopping smoking, because they're addicted," said Helm.

"We have some cute little stuff like cards, wristbands, and little pins," said Watkins. "This one says, ‘Tobacco is Wacko,' and it's just fun little stuff students can pick up."

If you're having a hard time getting your “butt kicked”, HOSA can point you in the right direction.

"If you want to quit smoking, you can also call the quit-line, Idaho Quit, at 1-800-QUIT-NOW," said Helm.

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