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Hoosier Youth Hit The Streets To Protest Tobacco Companies

Oct 22, 2006 07:06 PM EDT

By Mike Corbin News 8 @ 6:00

Surveys show most adult smokers began smoking before they were 18-years-old. That's why a group of Hoosier young people hit the streets Sunday, to raise their voices in protest. Many of them aren't old enough to vote, but they're making strong statements.

"We need to stop the cigarette, tobacco companies from stealing our youth," protesters said.

Dozens of Hoosier high schoolers took part in "Action Speaks."

"I've had some family members die from smoking related diseases and I'm just very against it and I have asthma," protester Julianna Eley said.

Sunday's event was part of a weekend-long rally against tobacco. They're saying they won't be "guinea pigs." parents are here, too.

"Unfortunately, too often in our society, everyone sits back and waits for someone else to make a move or speak out and express their beliefs and when something like this occurs, again you know, children ask questions and parents need to be there to answer those questions and explain what's going on," concerned parent Bob Hatfield said,

They marched with banners through downtown. They believe young people are manipulated into smoking habits, so they're raising awareness and warning about peer pressure.

"It's very important because the succumb to peer pressure and if it's positive peer pressure, I think that's half the battle won," parent Patrice Tyler said.

For many adults, the rally was really about education for people young and old.

"We're not against the smoker, we're just against the tobacco companies themselves and how they promote cigarettes and smoking to our children and this is what the program is all about," concerned adult Michael Morgan said.

Anti-tobacco groups say 27 Hoosiers die from tobacco related illnesses every day.