Briarcliff Middle Schoolers Say No to Tobacco

Briarcliff Middle School students signed a pledge to not use tobacco products for the next calendar year.

The effort was made possible by student assistance counselor Kari Giordano, who spearheaded a school wide Great American Smokeout campaign on Nov. 19, a day before the American Cancer Society’s nationwide anti-smoking initiative. Giordano said it’s encouraging for students to harbor a strong anti-smoking sentiment, even years before it’s legal for them to purchase tobacco.

“There is so much advertising out there, and in a way it sends a positive message about smoking,” Giordano said in a press release. “It’s important to start showing the health risks and begin positive prevention in middle school.”

Giordano thanked students for signing the pledge. Giordano promoted anti-smoking awareness through bulletin board displays and the students’ pledges to stay tobacco-free will be displayed.

Image courtesy of the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District

Have a news tip? Email feroze.dhanoa@patch.com. You can also post your own news, events and announcements on Patch by following these directions. Curious about how our new commenting platform, Disqus, works? Learn more about it here and start interacting with your neighbors on Patch.