Erie-Niagara Tobacco-Free Coalition Brings Kick Butts Day Celebration to Walden Galleria

Event, taking place from 3pm to 7pm Wednesday, March 21, to include Youth Expo

BUFFALO, NY — All are invited to stop by Walden Galleria in Cheektowaga for a Kick Butts Day celebration and Youth Health Expo on the mall’s lower level near Apple Computer from 3 pm to 7 pm on Wednesday, March 21. Kick Butts Day is a fun way to give people valuable information about the dangers of tobacco use and how to quit. It also is a chance for young people to take a stand and say “We’ve Seen Enough” tobacco marketing.

“This is a great opportunity to offer a wide range of preventive health information in a fun-filled interactive environment with the goal of creating healthier communities,” said Anthony Billoni, Director of the Erie-Niagara Tobacco-Free Coalition at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (Roswell Park). “On Kick Butts Day, kids will have a chance to send an important message that they want the tobacco industry to stop targeting them with advertising.”

Nearly a million and a half young people under age 18 will try their first cigarette this year. Research has shown that tobacco marketing is a key factor in causing them to start using tobacco. The more young people are exposed to cigarette advertising, the more likely they are to smoke.

Kick Butts Day and Youth Health Expo sponsors and activities include:

  • A graffiti wall where young people can artfully express their thoughts on a tobacco-free community, sponsored by the Erie-Niagara Tobacco-Free Coalition.
  • Cold turkey samples for those who “go cold turkey” by turning in a pack of cigarettes or signing a pledge to be tobacco free, offered by Subway.
  • Healthy lifestyle information and health care coaches from the American Cancer Society, American Red Cross serving Erie & Niagara Counties, BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York, Roswell Park and YMCA Buffalo Niagara.
  • Additional sponsors: Auntie Annie’s Pretzels, the Buffalo Bisons, Dairy Queen and Mrs. Fields Cookies.

“Kick Butts Day not only challenges people to stop using tobacco but raises awareness about the dangers of smoking and how vulnerable our children are to tobacco marketing,” said Meghan Ayers, Marketing Director, Walden Galleria.

For more information about the Kick Butts Day celebration and Youth Health Expo at Walden Galleria in Cheektowaga, NY, contact Sarah Torella, 716-681-7600, ext. 117. For information about tobacco-free programs for healthier communities, contact the Erie-Niagara Tobacco-Free Coalition at 716-845-3407 or by email at anthony.billoni@roswellpark.org.

The mission of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is to understand, prevent and cure cancer. Roswell Park, founded in 1898, was one of the first cancer centers in the country to be named a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and remains the only facility with this designation in Upstate New York. The Institute is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers; maintains affiliate sites; and is a partner in national and international collaborative programs. For more information, visit Roswell Park’s website at http://www.roswellpark.org, call 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or email AskRoswell@Roswellpark.org.

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Media Contact

Annie Deck-Miller, Senior Media Relations Manager
716-845-8593; annie.deck-miller@roswellpark.org