Anti-Smoking Classes Aimed at Children

Tobacco use among teenagers is on the rise, and to combat the problem, the Camarillo Health Care District will hold a four-week Kids and Tobacco Youth Education Series.

The classes, which start today, will give children ages 6 to 10 the facts about tobacco in a fun way and give them the opportunity to practice the skills to help them make a healthy decision about tobacco use.

“We know that kids are getting a lot of facts and that they know it’s harmful to their bodies,” said Kathy Cook of Ventura County Public Health Education. “We try to get them to look at reasons not to smoke and that reasons like their friends do it or it makes them popular are not good reasons.”

In the first session, students will make body maps and illustrate what will happen to their bodies if they use tobacco.

The second session deals with role-playing and developing strategies of how to talk to someone about their tobacco use or how to say no.

Advertising will be the topic of the third session.

“We look at messages the tobacco industry is putting out and compare it to the truth,” Cook said. “We hope to give them the idea that they’re being conned and led astray by the ads that tell them they’ll be slim, macho, popular or sexy if they use tobacco.”

A mural is created during the final session in which the children can show how they feel about tobacco and what they will do about tobacco use.

“They make a pledge to not use tobacco or ask a parent to stop using it or whatever they feel is appropriate,” Cook said.

Classes will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. The Camarillo Health Care District is at 3639 E. Las Posas Road. Call 388-1952 to register. The series costs $4.