why it's important to stop tobacco use

Third and fourth graders in New Jersey are being taught about the dangers and risks of smoking and are then sharing their new found knowledge with a smoker as part of the "Tell Someone You Love" letter writing program that is sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, and Scholastic, Incorporated.

School teachers have received program guides from Scholastic Incorporated that have been developed to help them conduct a classroom session on addiction and smoking . Following the session and after the interactive discussion, teachers ask their students to write a " Tell Someone You Love" letter expressing in their own words why their loved one should cease smoking. Children can write to a close family member, relative, friend, or entertainer or sports personality who smokes.

New Jersey's 12,000 third and fourth grade teachers have been asked to participate in this innovative educational activity, which was launched to coincide with the Great American Smoke out on 16th Nov., Health and Senior Services Commissioner Christine Grant said today.

"Children have the opportunity to both to learn about the hazards and risks of tobacco use and to take action in a way that's important to them," said Governor Christie Whitman. "Through `Tell Someone You Love,' young people can see how smoking affects their lives and the health of the people they love."