SCAT STUDENTS ATTEND STATE CONFERENCE - Body Bags Will Be Taken To Capitol

(03/25/2001)

Six Calhoun students joined other kids yesterday going to the State Youth Tobacco Free Conference in Charleston. A bus trip originating in Morgantown stopped at Calhoun High School yesterday to transport the local group to the three-day conference. The students are from SCAT groups (Student Coalition Against Tobacco). Local sponsor Carlene Frederick is also attending the conference.

"The youth will voice their opinions about state laws governing taxes on tobacco products and the effects of tobacco usage," said Andrew Whipkey, local SCAT President. During Monday's march to the capitol the teens will carry 84 body bags to represent the number of people who die each week in West Virginia from tobacco-related illnesses.

SCAT members head to Charleston (L to R) Sarah Butler, Andrew Whipkey, Matt Richards, Holly Burch, not pictured are Suzanne Lynch, Jake Nelson and Carlene Frederick

Whipkey said his role regarding tobacco is to keep kids from starting. "Every year 8,800 new kids become daily smokers. If that current trend continues, more than 38,000 of those kids will become sick and die early from nicotine addiction."

Tobacco is the only product that when used as intended kills the user, he said. "Cigarettes kill more Americans than alcohol, AIDS, murders, suicides, car accidents, heroin and fires combined."

Also attending the conference, Sarah Butler, Matt Richards, Holly Burch, Suzanne Lynch and Jake Nelson.