A Service of The Arrow           Friday February 4, 2000 11:34 AM

By: Matt Hawkins

ARROW STAFF

On Monday, the Governor's Advisory Council on Tobacco Prevention presented its plan to end tobacco abuse among teens to communities across the state via the MetNet.

More than 10 towns were represented in a video teleconferences based at FVCC. This was the first in a series of such conferences scheduled to take place in the next week.

When tobacco companies settled with states who had brought against them allegations of misconduct, Montana received nearly $800 million to be paid over 25 years. The state then faced the problem of deciding what to do with the money and, in the end, became one of only four states to use much of the money to prevent people from starting to smoke.

“A lot of states are choosing to spend this money on areas entirely unrelated to tobacco abuse,” said Linda Lee, chairman of the advisory council. “And at the same time we see states who spend large amounts on insurance funds for victims. We are one of the few to try and stop the prevent people from ever starting to smoke.”

The plan that has been developed is composed of three distinct areas: statewide programs, community-based programs and a large emphasis on stopping tobacco use in schools.

The belief is that if students don't start using tobacco at an early age, they won't start as adults.

“What you learn on your mother's knee,” commented a member of the Glascow Kiwanis club, “you remember all your life.”

The other reason schools have been designated an especially high priority is because students — as one participant noted — think of themselves as bulletproof. There is no question about tobacco being dangerous, and yet according to recent studies, its use is on the rise in both high schools and junior high schools.

“It's kind of scary to see the trends in the schools today,” said Lee. “Not only is cigarette smoking becoming more prevalent, but so is the chewing tobacco among both boys and girls.“

An estimated 33 percent of high school boys, and 8.5 percent of high school girls use chewing tobacco on a regular basis. Doctors fear that teens don't realize the risk involved with smokeless tobacco, because it isn't publicized as much, and they are quick to remind us that it is also a carcinogen.

The council also intends to work cooperatively with other substance abuse organizations, as cigarettes are considered to be a “gateway' drug” — a steeping stone to other dangerous and illegal substances. But the council recognizes they need the support of Montanans to realistically end smoking.

“We know that we cannot do this by ourselves,” said Lee. “We need the assistance and experience of others. But we also need a strong showing from the individual communities. Without them we will never stop this epidemic.”

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