S.W.A.T. Annual Kick Butts Challenge to be held on April 29

April 26, 2022

S.W.A.T. Annual Kick Butts Challenge to be held on April 29

MOBILE, Ala. — In recognition of 2022 National Kick Butts Day, which took place on April 1, the Mobile County Health Department’s S.W.A.T. (Students Working Against Tobacco) teams from Alma Bryant, John L. LeFlore, and Mary G. Montgomery high schools released a special video presentation encouraging their peers to stop and evaluate the health risk of all tobacco products including vape products.

The annual Kick Butts Challenge, normally conducted on Kick Butts Day, will now take place on Friday, April 29, at Mattie T. Blount High School. More than 150 local high school Junior ROTC cadets will bring their school pride, as they compete to be recognized as physically fit cadets throughout Mobile County. This year the challenge will be modified because of the large number of participants.

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

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 shape for the challenges of tomorrow,” said Harold Jones, MCHD’s Youth Tobacco Coordinator.

The Kick Butts Challenge will begin at 9 a.m. at Mattie T. Blount High School’s football stadium, followed by recognition of winners and participants.

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

To learn about the nation-wide campaign, visit www.KickButtsDay.org or www.KickButtsDay.org.