DECA promotes anti-tobacco campaign in school

From left, Savannah Woody, Mkenna Padgett and Haley Toland present their anti-smoking message at the high sch00l Submitted photo

Despite knowing the harmful effects of tobacco, it's still one of the biggest health threats the world has ever faced, killing nearly six million people a year, noted a press release from DECA.

According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the percentage of adults who smoke in Vernon County is more than twice the national average, with approximately 27.3 percent of Missouri teens chewing tobacco, which is five times the national average.

Because of their concern over these alarming statistics, the NRTC-DECA chapter's public relations team has developed a campaign focusing on the theme "Live Tobacco Free."

Middle School Presentation: From left Mikenna Padgett, Savannah Woody, and Haley Toland make their anti-smoking presentation at the middle school. Submitted photo

The focus of DECA's Public Relations campaign is to build awareness of not only the dangers of smoking, second-hand smoke, and chewing tobacco, which have been well known facts for many years, but to be a movement for education and social change among their peers to empower them to make healthy choices for life.

DECA's public relations team is led by Savannah Woody, Mikena Padgett, and Haley Toland. As part of their campaign, they created educational presentations for the health classes at Nevada High School and Nevada Middle School, including hands-on activities and an Anti-Tobacco pledge.

They also designed informational posters, which will be displayed throughout the schools and community during the next few weeks and plan to record a public service announcement to be broadcast on KNEM-KNMO.

Additional activities are being planned with details to be announced.

DECA is an international Career and Technical Organization for high school Marketing students. Local advisor is Martha Cubbage.