Senator Fuschillo & Unqua Elementary Students Say “No” to Tobacco

Photo caption: Senator Fuschillo shows Unqua students that some of the same chemicals used in bug spray are also found in cigarettes.

Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) today visited Unqua Elementary School in Massapequa to speak to 5th graders about the importance of saying “no” to tobacco as part of the 36th Annual Great American Smokeout.

“90 percent of all adults who smoke regularly started during their teenage years, which is why it’s so important that children learn at an early age why to say ‘no’ to tobacco,” said Senator Fuschillo, author of New York State’s Clean Indoor Air Law and a member of the Senate’s Health Committee. “Showing children why smoking is such a dangerous and deadly addiction will help them make the right choice to live a smoke-free lifestyle.”

To help teach students about the dangers of smoking, Senator Fuschillo showed them household products such as rat poison, bug spray, nail polish remover, batteries, and anti-freeze which contain some of the same chemicals found in cigarettes. Students also took a “true/false” tobacco quiz to help them learn some of the common facts of tobacco use.

At the end of the program, Senator Fuschillo gave “no smoking pledge packets” out to the students. The packets inform children about the harmful effects of smoking, and contain a pledge that they can sign along with their parents to promise to commit to a healthy, tobacco free lifestyle.

Youth smoking remains a serious problem in New York State. According to the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, children buy or smoke over 38 million packs of cigarettes each year in New York State. Over 24,000 children under age 18 become new daily smokers in New York State each year.

Parents who would like to obtain one of Senator Fuschillo’s “no smoking pledges” for their children can call Senator Fuschillo’s office at 516-882-0630.

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