From the SmokeFree Times newsletter, American Lung Association of Rhode Island, Fall 1996, p. 3
"Speaking Out, Not Lighting Up" at LaSalle Academy
Submitted by Cathy W. Poulin, Teacher, LaSalle Academy, Providence
Cathy W. Poulin and Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, teachers at LaSalle Academy in Providence, created a middle school unit about cigarette sales for their seventh grade class. Titled "Speaking Out, Not Lighting Up", students received classroom education and practical experience in the community about advertising, marketing, and sales of cigarettes to minors. The unit not only provides students with cross-curricular skills such as reading, independent research, communicating, thinking, and math computation, it allows students to assess current policies and adherence to laws and to create the platform for change to occur.
Upon completion of the unit, students were able to analyze the marketing and advertising practices that tobacco companies use to try to entice young people to begin smoking; determine the features of, and the need for, the laws governing sale of tobacco products to minors; conduct a survey of tobacco vendors; tabulate the data and present it in graphic form; and advocate for stricter tobacco-control through letter writing. To aid in their activities, students were provided with resources such as copies of applicable state and/or local laws, news articles, list of bills pending in state legislature pertaining to tobacco sales, list of legislators on Health, Education and Welfare committees, and other school supplies.
The letters to the editor written by the students appeared in papers around the state including the Providence Journal-Bulletin, the Bristol Phoenix, and the Woonsocket Call. Student Kyle Malesra was featured in an article in the Cranston Herald about how cigarettes are sold in Cranston, part of his school research project.
According to Cathy Poulin, the project has served to educate students about the health issues associated with tobacco use while boosting their self-esteem. They are learning, that when done correctly, you can make a difference when you do your research, have your facts, and voice your position. For more information, contact Cathy Poulin or Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan at LaSalle Academy.
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Read other articles in Fall 1996 issue:
"Lung Association Receives ASSIST Contract for Tobacco Control Network"
"The MOB Rules at Chariho High School"
"Reducing Youth Access to Tobacco Makes Headlines in 1996"
"Rhode Island Well-Represented at National Tobacco Control Conference"
"Smoking and Kids Don't Mix in North Kingstown"
"Tobacco Control Network Needs You!"
"Tobacco Free Pharmacy Campaign Grows"
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