I-STEP (Iowa Students for Tobacco Education and
Prevention) is a youth-led organization working to change the tobacco
world in Iowa. An I-STEP chapter has been started at the Grinnell middle
schools and one is planned for the Grinnell high school.
To kick off the I-STEP program, coordinator Lisa
Leris, GRMC Public Health nurse, held a rally for the middle school football
team on Monday. Students made statements against tobacco in Grinnell Middle
School fences. The plan is to coordinate other fun activities throughout the
year. Parents of 5th through 12 grade students may contact
Lisa Leris at Grinnell Regional Public Health, 641-236-2385, to get their
students involved.
Tobacco is the
leading cause of death in the United States. If current rates continue, 5.6
million Americans under 18 years old are alive today are projected to die
prematurely from smoke-related diseases.
The I-STEP mission is to change the general social
attitude toward all tobacco use; raise awareness through education;
counter-market the tobacco industry’s efforts; inspire and support cessation
among the tobacco users; and progress into a new age of informed decisions.
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