1200 Americans die of tobacco related illnesses every day. This was the theme of the statewide "Kick Butts Day" organized by the Tobacco Free Massachusetts Coalition on April 5, 2006. A special assembly was held at Talbot Middle School featuring a presentation by Robert Mehrman, a cancer survivor, radio broadcaster and President of the International Association of Laryngectomees. Mr. Mehrman has spoken to thousands of children across Massachusetts about how cigarettes robbed him of his voice when he contracted cancer of the larynx from smoking. "I decided to stop [smoking], and I tried and I failed, and I failed miserably, until finally I interviewed some former drug addicts.  It surprised me when I found out they said it was easier for them to give up their hard drugs than it was to give up cigarettes, because they said the addiction to nicotine is worse than the addiction to cocaine, heroin or marijuana.  At that point I tried one more time, went cold turkey, stopped smoking, and two years later, cancer of the larynx." The doctors removed Mehrman's larynx in 1990, but eight years later he developed cancer of the bladder and had the cancer removed. The program was arranged by Partners for Clean Air, a program of Seven Hills Behavioral Health.
 

(Top row) Robert Mehrman tells his story to two assemblies of Talbot Middle School on the school's Kick Butts Day. (Middle row, left) Talbot Health Education teacher Tom Lilly estimates that 20 to 25% of Talbot students are already smoking cigarettes. (Middle row, right) Talbot Middle School Pincipal Karol Coffin emphasizes the importance of the message that Mr. Mehrman brings. (Bottom row) Judith Coykendall of Partners for Clean Air addresses the students on the resources that are available to students through the Department of Public Health. For more information, contact Judith Coykendall, 508-996-3147, Ext. 203.