Schools Take Part in Anti-Smoking Fight

Several San Fernando Valley schools are participating this week in the fourth annual Kick Butts Day, a nationwide effort to fight smoking among children and teenagers.

Taft High School in Woodland Hills has set up an information booth, where during lunch this week students can obtain brochures, balloons and other giveaways along with information on the harmful effects of smoking, said Sondra Reynolds, a tobacco prevention coordinator and counselor.

A woman who developed cancer from smoking and had to have her voice box removed spoke to students at Taft High earlier this week.

“We had 600 kids in the auditorium, and you could hear a pin drop,” Reynolds said.

Peer counselors have been trained to work with students and stop-smoking groups are being organized. Taft students have produced a video of interviews with smokers and nonsmokers on campus. The video will be shown during lunch to all students, Reynolds said.

Dearborn Elementary School in Northridge will also be participating in Kick Butts Day, with activities planned today.

Students from age 8 to 11 who are studying the human heart and nutrition with special-education teacher Nancy Knox will hold a mock trial that places “Mr. Butts” on trial, complete with witnesses, a judge and jury.

“You’re trying to get them to realize with witnesses the effects of smoking,” said Knox, whose students have difficulties understanding and processing language.

Knox will conduct an experiment to show students what lungs look like after smoking, and the class will clip ads for smoking and analyze warning labels.

“They will be looking at how advertisers try to convince them to smoke,” Knox said.

Other Valley schools participating this week are Birmingham High School in Van Nuys and El Camino Real High and Castlemont School in Woodland Hills. The national event is co-sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.