Remarks (as prepared): Tobacco_Free Kids Project "1200" Event

REMARKS [AS PREPARED]: TOBACCO-FREE KIDS PROJECT "1200" EVENT

Thank you, Tracy, for that kind introduction. I am very pleased to be here today and share this experience with you -- the youth advocates -- and to remember what these 1200 shoes represent -- the 1200 lives smoking claims everyday. Each of you deserves recognition for your dedication and commitment to stopping kids from smoking. Thank you for what each of you are doing. I want to be sure to give a special recognition to Ohio's youth advocates:

1) Tracy Meng from Copley 2) Khoa Ma from Cincinnati 3) Judy Sun from Hudson 4) Samantha Pirc from Mentor.

You are all role models. We all know that it is you and your brothers and sisters and friends who tobacco companies target in their marketing. You are the ones who are fighting a daily battle to say no to all of these temptations and all of these marketing efforts to get you hooked on smoking. Yet, you are the examples. You are saying "no" to these temptations. You are out there fighting against the use of tobacco and cigarettes.

I commend each one of you. Your leadership and energy on this issue is inspiring. Your work has helped to educate your peers about the harm tobacco causes. You are making a difference every day, and you are saving the lives of your friends and strangers by helping make sure they never start smoking in the first place and making sure they aren't represented by one of these shoes.

You are all doing your part, and I promise you that I will continue to do my part in the Senate to pass the bill that provides FDA with the authority it needs to regulate tobacco products, so that kids in America are no longer targets.

http://dewine.senate.gov/