October 26, 2001

Contact: Liz Everett
Telephone: 353-7435 or 353-7370

Re: Great American Smokeout events

Every year, more than 400,000 people die from smoking-related diseases, and about 3,000 adolescents become regular smokers each day. The American Cancer Society is dedicated to helping the 32 million smokers who want to quit accomplish their goal. To that end, the Amarillo office of the ACS's Great American Smokeout has planned several events to commemorate its 25th anniversary, as it is renewing its focus on raising public awareness about the dangers of tobacco use.

From 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 14, several former smokers will be at Market Street United, 2530 S. Georgia St., to share their unique stories about the negative impact of tobacco use, and information designed to help people quit smoking will also be available.

Additionally, Tom Jackson, an expert in active learning and director of the Active Learning Center and Foundation in Cedar City, Utah, will conduct a tobacco prevention workshop for 200 students from Amarillo, River Road and Highland Park Independent School Districts from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15 at San Jacinto Baptist Church, 801 Tascosa Road. Jackson will conduct a second workshop from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15 at the Region 16 Education Service Center, 1601 S. Cleveland St. The purpose of the workshop is to help adults who work with teens learn how to deter them from tobacco.

Jackson, who received his master's degree in education from the University of Southern California, is the author of "Activities That Teach," "More Activities That Teach" and "Activities That Teach Family Values." He has served on the steering committee for the Utah K-12 Alcohol, Drug and Tobacco State Curriculum; Advisory Council for the Drug Free Schools and Communities Grants in Utah; and the Governor of Utah's Substance Abuse Prevention and Anti-Violence Coordinating Council.

Jackson's awards include Chemical Health Educator of the Year for the state of Utah in 1996, and Excellence in Outstanding Service to Education Award from the Utah State Board of Education in 1997. And he has been a guest on numerous radio and television programs.

These events are free and open to the public. Any media coverage that your organization can provide will be appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help.