KOREATOWN : Smoking Out Tobacco Dangers

The Korean Youth & Community Center is offering a theater arts program designed to encourage Korean-American youths to learn about the performing arts--and discourage them from smoking.

Funded by money from the tobacco tax initiative, Proposition 99, and the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, the free weekly workshops are targeted at Korean-Americans ages 13 to 18, but youths of other ethnic backgrounds are also welcome, said project coordinator Nancy Lee.

Participants will talk with Korean-American performing artists and develop their own anti-smoking skits, to be performed at various community events in June. The workshops, which run through June, meet every Wednesday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the center, 3470 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1110. Transportation is available.

Information: (213) 365-7400.