To The Editor:

This past Friday October 13, 2017 Advancing Tobacco Free Communities, Reality Check of St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Lewis and groups from SUNY Potsdam and Clarkson University took part in the first annual “Seen Enough Tobacco Day” by hosting a “Chalk The Walk” at Ives Park and throughout downtown Potsdam.

The event was a State wide Movement let by Youth from 25 Reality Check programs across New York State to help educate their communities of the devious marketing tactics that big tobacco companies use to entice our youth to become the next generation of smokers, and educated spectators on how we can combat these tactics to create a Smoke Free Generation.

The youth reached out to different clubs/organizations and sports teams from SUNY Potsdam and Clarkson University to help volunteer and help spread awareness to not only local community members, but also to the local college students.

When word got out about the event the Men’s Lacrosse team at SUNY Potsdam immediately stepped up to the plate, without hesitation, to help our Youth put on this successful event.

The men’s lacrosse team is led by head coach Rick Berkman and assistant coach Lindsey Pound. Lindsey and 42 of his players helped chalk sidewalks, put up stakes with tobacco statistics, picked up cigarette butts, and talk to local business owners about becoming a tobacco free business. We, Reality Check, look forward to working with the men’s lacrosse team on future events to help mobilize our mission to help create a smoke-free generation for our youth, community members, and college students within the village of Potsdam.

If you’d like more information about Reality Check visit our website: http://www.realitycheckofny.com or visit our Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ATFCommunities

Joey Boswell

Advancing Tobacco Free Community Reality Check of St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Lewis counties