HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kids in Kansas and Hutchinson will unite against tobacco use on March 21 as they join thousands of young people nationwide to mark Kick Butts Day. 

More than 1,000 events are planned across the United States for this annual day of youth activism, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

On Kick Butts Day, kids encourage their peers to be tobacco-free, reject tobacco companies’ devious marketing and urge elected officials to help make the next generation tobacco-free.

This year, Kick Butts Day is focusing attention on the progress the U.S. has made in reducing youth smoking and the actions needed to create the first tobacco-free generation. Since 2000, the national smoking rate among high school students has fallen by 71 percent (from 28 percent in 2000 to 8 percent in 2016). However, the fight against tobacco is far from over:

Students with Communities That Care in Hutchinson will record a video at Carey Park to celebrate their newly tobacco-free parks on March 21 from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. at Carey Park.

On March 22, CTC will continue to “Kick Butts” by playing a game kicking toilet paper into soccer goals with the seventh graders at Hutchinson Middle School. This event will be from 10:50 a.m. to noon at Hutchinson Middle School-7 at 210 E. Avenue A.