Mayor William Flanagan launched a "Before you light up, look down" campaign to remind smokers to not smoke around children on March 25, 2013 in a press event at Government Center. The campaign was initiated in response to parents who were concerned about secondhand smoke exposure to their children while they were waiting at school bus stops throughout the City. The purpose of the campaign is to "raise awareness on the dangerous effects of secondhand smoke," stated the Mayor before introducing City Corporation Counsel Elizabeth Sousa who spearheaded the effort. She introduced City Health and Human Services Director Dr. Henry Vaillancourt who reminded the public that "there is no safe level of secondhand smoke" and urged smokers to not expose children or other adults to smoke, whether in their own homes or in public locations. Partners Excutive Director Dr. David Weed reminded the public that assistance with quitting is available free of charge throught the Mass. Department of Public Health's 1-800-STOP-NOW telephone counseling service and that Mass Health and other insurance providers provide cessation counseling and medications at no charge. Fall River Public School's Assistant Superintendent Dr. Fran Roy concluded the event by noting that secondhand smoke exposure also impairs students' ability to learn. The Mayor's Office will be distributing printed information through all of the elementary and middle schools later in the week reminding adults to "look down" before they light up. Click here for a sixteen-minute video of the event. Click here for photos and video of a March 28th WSAR Radio show on the topic. For more information, contact Tobacco Control Coordinator Marilyn Edge at 508-324-2423.

(Top row, left and center) Health and Human Services Director Dr. Henry Vaillancourt asks the group of children to gather around the poster prior to the event after the children, inluding Samanta, Nate, Jaidon, Rober, DJ, Lukas, and Ethan, pose for a photo outside the Mayor's Office. (Top row, right) Tobacco Control Coordinator Marilyn Edge and Jenn LeRoux stand by as Lukas LeRoux gets final instructions from his mother and father, Sarah and Anthony LeRoux. (Row two) The Mayor directs the children as Dr. Vaillancourt, City Corporation Counsel Elizabeth Sousa, Law Office staff Vure Resendes and Melissa DaSilveira watch. (Row three) The Mayor, Attorney Sousa, Dr. Vaillancourt and Dr. Weed all make remarks supportive of the campaign. (Bottom row) Assistant Superintendent Fran Roy concludes the remarks befor the children pose for a final photo and Ms. Edge shows Fall River Governement Television videographer Phil Sabatino some of the materials that will be distribued to parentsthrough the schools later in the week.