Students at Davis-Thomas Elementary Middle School recently had a visit from members of the West Virginia Tobacco Quit Line.
Kris Kimble, regional tobacco prevention coordinator, shared many instances of the dangers of tobacco as well as the deadly effects of secondhand smoke.
"Brochures were handed out that allowed students to know how to quit smoking and how to give this news to family members. Several students were surprised to find out that the Quit Line offers phone coaching and nicotine replacement therapy, such as patches, at very little or no cost," said Elspeth DeLeurere, English teacher and school librarian.
Article Photos
Photos courtesy of Elspeth DeLeurere
Davis-Thomas Elementary Middle School students take a break during the a recent tobacco-use prevention day. From left are Zoe Sypolt, Alexis Hunt, Alexis Adkins, Abbey Eye, David Briles, Timmy Kemphfer, Eric McCrum, Tyler Birchland and Alexis Roth.
"The real attention-getter for the students was when David Briles spoke or, as he explained, burped his words," she said. "Briles is a cancer survivor who smoked for 22 years. As a result of his smoking, he underwent a surgery known as total laryngectomy, which removed his voice box, putting a hole in his throat. Students gasped as they saw firsthand what smoking can do to a person."
