Statement

On March 20 FCHS celebrated Kick Butts Day, a national day of activism that empowers youth to stand out, speak up and seize control against Big Tobacco.  On Kick Butts Day, teachers, youth leaders and health advocates organize events to:

• Raise awareness of the problem of tobacco used in their state or community;
• Encourage youth to reject the tobacco industry’s deceptive marketing and stay tobacco-free; and
• Urge elected officials to take action to protect kids from tobacco.

A message about “Airing Big Tobacco’s Dirty Laundry” was displayed with several quotes and statistics from Big Tobacco companies like RJ Reynolds and Phillip Morris.  One message in particular has gained attention as being discriminatory and offensive. This message was not created by a Franklin County High School student or staff member, this message was taken directly from an interview with an RJ Reynolds Executive.  The quote reads “We don’t smoke that ****. We just sell it. We reserve the right to smoke for the young, the poor, the black and stupid.” This quote points out the reason why young people are targeted by Big Tobacco to purchase their products and what they think about their consumers.  

We in no way meant to offend or make anyone uncomfortable, it was our intention to inform our students on the dangers of tobacco products and the marketing premise by Big Tobacco companies to young people.  To see this quote and others made by Big Tobacco companies, please refer to the following websites.

Kick Butts Day:
https://www.kickbuttsday.org/about/
Resources:
https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/assets/factsheets/0208.pdf
https://www.who.int/tobacco/media/en/TobaccoExplained.pdf