Nevada teens learn about dangers of tobacco use

Rebecca Malone

Tuesday, June 19, 2001 | 8:26 a.m.

In the midst of strobe lights, artificial fog and huge beach balls, about 250 teens gathered at Nevada's first anti-tobacco youth summit.

The Clark County Health District created the teen driven organization -- XPOZ (pronounced "expose") -- and sponsored the "Kick Ash Bash" at UNLV from money received as part of a 1998 settlement of a federal lawsuit against the tobacco companies.

"We don't put the Health District on things because that is not cool to teens," said Maria Azzarelli, health educator for the Health District and founder of XPOZ. "So, that is why we have the funky X and all that stuff."

The teens gathered at UNLV for a day of events that centered on XPOZ, which is aimed at teaching teenagers the dangers of tobacco use.

"I didn't realize how much the tobacco companies target teens," said Liz Igeleke, an Eldorado High School sophomore who attended the summit with her dance team. "If someone can get away with murder everyday, that is exactly what they are doing. This was a real good experience because health class teaches you stuff, but not anything like XPOZ."

Tobacco companies deny targeting ads to teens. Officials at R.J. Reynolds, makers of the Winston and Camel cigarette brands, among others, in a statement earlier this year said the company complies with the 1998 settlement that banned companies from using billboards and cartoon characters.

Mark Smith, a spokesman for Brown & Williamson, makers of KOOL, told the Associated Press, "We think our advertising is responsible. The changes have been dramatic. Unfortunately, there are those ... you'll never satisfy."

The summit was presented by the Nixon Group, a public relations and marketing firm hired by the Health District.

The group kicked off the day by citing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics that indicate 2,600 people die each year in Nevada from smoking, and 84,000 children are exposed to secondhand smoke at home.

"I think this is terrific because it is this type of thing that is going to make advocates," said Larry Kleinworth, tobacco education coordinator of the American Lung Association of Nevada. "Youth smoking is a tremendous problem in Nevada, especially. We are No. 1 in the U.S. in teen smoking."

Yes Duffy from MTV's "Road Rules: Semester at Sea" spoke to teens, signed autographs and displayed his activism through his artwork, a graffiti mural.

"We are reaching out to young teenagers to help inspire them not to start smoking," Duffy said. "This organization is extremely crucial in saving the future and saving lives. I consider this as saving lives everyday."

Ashley Vargas, a Las Vegas High School freshman, said she hopes she can make a difference with XPOZ. She said she plans to help with XPOZ's video tour that will include producing television ads.

"I hate tobacco companies and how they target teens," Vargas said. "They just target us because they think we are stupid. Just because we are teens doesn't make us stupid, and XPOZ is giving us a way to fight back and prove that we're not."