The Great American SmokeOut: Cold Turkey Bowl

By Kendra Shine

Students were going “cold turkey” to inspire teens to go cold turkey with tobacco Nov 19 at lunch.

Members of the RAL Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention Team held a “Cold Turkey Bowl” in the cafeteria by using a frozen turkey to bowl over pins.

This event was inspired by the 34th Annual Great American SmokeOut, a national event put on by the American Cancer Society to encourage smokers to quit smoking or plan to quit.

According to the American Cancer Society, tobacco use is the largest preventable cause of disease and death in the US.  Also, thirty percent of cancer deaths are caused by tobacco.

Ms. Hanna, the Intervention Specialist at RAL, leads the Prevention Team and helped to put on the event.  Some students that also helped with the event included: Chris Hoppes 9, Abby Bowser 9, Fred Grasser 9, Ashley McFarland 10, Skyla Melody 10, Chloe Udd 10, Kayla Maki 10, and Shaelin White 11.

“I think it went well.  The Prevention Team enjoyed doing it and students seemed to have fun,” said Ms. Hanna.  “There were quite a few students who attended.  Some students did it over and over again.”

Ms. Hanna’s goal for the SmokeOut was to encourage students to ask themselves what the benefits and consequences of smoking and tobacco use are.  From there, students should encourage themselves to quit “cold turkey.”

The idea of a Turkey Bowl came from an event that took place at Kalama High School.  Next year, Ms. Hanna and the Prevention team are looking to do a different event for the Great American SmokeOut.  Ms. Hanna and a few students recently attended a leadership conference in Toledo to get new ideas for the year to come.

The Prevention Team meets weekly to discuss upcoming and possible events.  The purpose of the Prevention Team is to “use their talents and passions to educate and promote good conversation around the student body” regarding tobacco and alcohol use, said Ms. Hanna.  “On average, a smoker cuts their life by 14 years.”

She hopes students know that it’s their right to choose to use or not.  She encourages them to ask questions and do research so they’re aware of the possible consequences.