Teens Against Drug Abuse (TADA), a part of the Building Our Lives Drug-free (BOLD) Coalition, traveled to the State House in Boston on March 17th, 2010 to join kids from across the state in a rally against Big Tobacco. Youth met with their legislators to present the work that they are doing in their communities and to highlight the fact that Big Tobacco still targets youth in Massachusetts. Fall River youth met with an aide to Representative Mike Rodrigues and with Representative Dave Sullivan to do a presentation targeting new trends and sales tactics of Big Tobacco, such as smokeless products and more colorful packaging. The youth had gathered this information in Fall River over the past six months. "On Kick Butts Day, kids are standing up to the tobacco companies, and elected officials should stand with them by supporting proven tobacco prevention measures," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. For more information about the campaign, contact Youth Program Director Mike Aguiar at 508-324-3598. (Photos courtesy of Alex Rodrigues)

(Top row, left and right) Alex Rodrigues, Marcus Watson, Julia Stachura, Maille O'Brian, and Alisha Gilbert hold the sign that they are taking on the bus to Boston. (Middle row) Marchers gather at one side of the Boston Common as they prepare to march to the State House. (Bottom row, left) Julia and Maille are among the many marchers in the Boston Common. (Bottom row, right) Brittany Chen speaks out against the efforts of Big Tobacco to target youth for their deadly products.