Emma Cordes

“I feel like we have truly been making a difference this year in the community. We, as a club, have talked to youth around Phoenixville about the harmful effects of tobacco use, and I really believe that the message will stick with them.” - Steve Kinback, T.A.T.U President.

T.A.T.U is an organization in our school that stands for Teens Against Tobacco Use. The goal of this club, led by school nurse Rosemary Newcomb, is to spread a no use tobacco message to our school and community. Being an active T.A.T.U member, I know how committed this club is to spreading the word of a tobacco-free lifestyle. The club’s activities include teaching younger children about the dangers of tobacco, attending conferences, and going to places in the community and cleaning up ashtrays and cigarette butts. We spread our message any way we can in hopes to make an impact on those around us because many people don’t know the harmful effects tobacco has on the body.

Nicotine is the addictive drug found in tobacco and is the reason why most people cannot quit once addicted. Nicotine kills more people than cocaine, heroin, alcohol, fire, automobile accidents, homicides, suicides, and AIDS combined. Causes of death from tobacco-related products include heart disease, lung and esophageal cancer, and chronic lung disease, as well as cancer of the mouth, gums, and esophagus. The goal of the tobacco industry is to attract a young audience so they become addicted at an early age. This is directly related to the fact that 90% of smokers become addicted to tobacco before the age of 18 and die, on average, 10 years earlier than non-smokers. These, along with other facts, are the messages T.A.T.U tries to spread about the effects of tobacco.

Our most recent project to spread our message was a poster contest presented to 4th graders in the Phoenixville Area School District in order to celebrate a nationally recognized day called Kick Butts Day. This project consisted of a presentation from club members to all 4th grade health classes in the district, followed by the students creating posters with slogans that spread anti-tobacco messages. Winners were picked from classes, elementary schools, and finally, from the district as a whole. “I can say I am proud of everyone in our club. They have gone above and beyond to do peer-to-peer education. The younger students really look up to them and I couldn’t be happier,” said advisor, Rosemary Newcomb. Kick Butts Day is normally celebrated on March 25th but this year our club recognized it on March 27th with an assembly in the high school auditorium. The program consisted of words from Mr.Kaskey, our advisor, Representative Drucker, and the awarding of all the winners of the poster contest from schools and throughout the district. 1st place winners from all schools included Dymond Robertson from Barklely Elementary, Kayleigh Horton from East Pikeland, and Julia Rose Brown from Scuylkill Elementary School.

Your browser may not support display of this image.Your browser may not support display of this image.Your browser may not support display of this image. After being a part of this club for the past two years, I am happy to know that we have made an impact on so many lives in the community. T.A.T.U is always looking for new ways to spread their anti-tobacco message and welcomes anyone who would like to join. If spreading a message that you know helps people sounds like fun to you, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with Mrs. Newcomb or any member to join T.A.T.U!