Kick Butts Challenge set for this week 04.25.2023

April 25, 2023

Kick Butts Challenge set for April 28

MOBILE, Ala. — In recognition of 2023 National Kick Butts Day, which was on March 31, the Mobile County Health Department’s S.W.A.T. (Students Working Against Tobacco) teams from Alma Bryant and Mary G. Montgomery high schools will continue taking action to educate their peers on the dangers of nicotine use by conducting the annual Kick Butts Challenge.

The annual Kick Butts Challenge, normally conducted on Kick Butts Day, will take place on Friday, April 28, at Mattie T. Blount High School. More than 100 local high school Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) cadets will bring their school pride as they compete to be recognized as physically fit cadets throughout Mobile County.

This fitness challenge is sponsored by the Mobile County Health Department’s S.W.A.T. teams in partnership with the Mobile County Public Schools Director of Army Instruction Lt. Col. Robert F. Barrow and U.S. Marine Corps Sub-Station Mobile.

The Kick Butts Challenge is designed to make youth think about the benefits of a smoke-free/vape-free environment when trying to be physically fit. The purpose is to bring awareness to the dangers of smoking, vaping, and second-hand smoke.

“Not smoking today can put our youth in greater physical and mental shape for the challenges of tomorrow,” said Harold Jones, who oversees the S.W.A.T. program for the Mobile County Health Department. “Nicotine is an addictive substance in all tobacco products. Ninety percent of all tobacco users start by age 18. So, we must give early and consistent education to our youth about the health risk of nicotine use.”

The Kick Butts Challenge will begin at 9 a.m. at Mattie T. Blount High School football stadium, followed by recognition of winners and participants.

For more information about the tobacco program or to set up a presentation, contact Jones at 251-544-2064 or at hjones@mchd.org.

To learn about the nationwide campaign, visit www.KickButtsDay.org or www.TobaccoFreeKids.org.