16th Annual Kick Butts Day, March 23, 2011..

March 22, 2011 - Kids in New York will take center stage in the fight against tobacco on March 23 as they join thousands of young people nationwide for the 16th annual Kick Butts Day. Hundreds of events are planned across the nation (for a list of local events see below).

Thousands of young people at hundreds of events from coast-to-coast are taking action today, March 23, 2011 — the day for youth to STAND OUT ... SPEAK UP ... and SEIZE CONTROL AGAINST BIG TOBACCO.

Hundreds of events from coast-to-coast..

For a list of Kick Butts Day events in New York and other states..

Sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Kick Butts Day is an annual celebration of youth leadership and activism in the fight against tobacco use. Kids are sending two powerful messages on Kick Butts Day: They want the tobacco companies to stop targeting them with marketing for cigarettes and other tobacco products, and they want elected leaders to do more to protect them from tobacco.

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and other public health advocates are calling on elected officials to support proven measures to reduce tobacco use and its devastating toll. As states struggle with budget deficits, legislators should increase tobacco taxes both to prevent kids from smoking and to raise revenue to balance budgets and fund critical programs. States should also enact smoke-free air laws that apply to all workplaces and public places and implement well-funded tobacco prevention and cessation programs.