B'Spa kicks butt

 
"The administration and faculty have made it a point to keep their youth free from tobacco while on school grounds," Greg Stevens said, the Tobacco Free Healthy Schools Coordinator for Saratoga Springs. Among some of the initiatives planned to combat tobacco use on school property, the district has pledged to increase their signage discouraging use on campus, set up sandwich boards outside of sporting and theater events, and bring in national speakers to warn students first hand on the dangers of tobacco use.

"Less and less people are using tobacco," Stevens said, citing a 50 percent decrease in youth smoking rates since 2001, now down to only 13.6 percent of teens. But Stevens was quick to stress, "We're not trying to alienate smokers." For youths who already smoke but are looking to quit, the school is offering to provide them with nicotine replacement patches so they can kick the habit.

"Students face many tough decisions at this age and collectively we can promote positive decision-making. Together our mission is to stop most from trying tobacco products. For those already using, we are trying to offer help and support to quit. It is never too late to get healthy," Kristi Jensen, the principal for Ballston Spa High School, said in a press release.

By joining up with the Tobacco Free Healthy Schools Program, Ballston Spa school district will benefit from increased resources and technical assistance to develop, communicate and enforce comprehensive tobacco-free school policies. Speakers like Rick Stoddard, who lost his wife to cancer at the age of 46 and went on to do national public service announcements against smoking, has spoken to youths on the issue, as well as a former player from the Anaheim Angels baseball team, who once chewed tobacco and had to have his lower jaw removed as a result during surgery.

One of the most important parts of the program, said Stevens, is "getting the word out to the community." A majority of youths are introduced to tobacco products through family members, friends, or the school community, Stevens cited, so taking the time to alert and educate the public is key when it comes to protecting the
students' welfare.