“Our students always mention they don’t understand why people smoke,” said Jerry King, RRT, MAEd, assistant professor and director of clinical education for the UAB Respiratory Therapy program. “If people continue to smoke, at some point in their life they will see one of our students because of breathing issues.”
While smokers may give job security to respiratory therapists, the students hope everyone will “kick butt” on Wednesday, March 23. The RT program and students are hosting its third annual “Kick Butts Day” at Unity Park (corner of University Blvd. and 18th St.) from 10 a.m. – noon.
About 40 RT students will encourage everyone to sign a pledge to either stop or to never start smoking. Last year, nearly 500 people signed the pledge. The students will also give out facts about what is in cigarettes, the effects smoking has on the lungs and pictures to demonstrate.
The UAB event is in conjunction with the national one hosted by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids where more than 2,000 events will be held from coast to coast. For more information, visit the national website at www.kickbuttsday.org.