During the spring semester of 2018-19, the Lomega Youth Action Council presented health lessons to the school’s elementary students.

Lessons included TAR WARS, an anti-tobacco program.

The program focused on the dangers of smoking, chewing tobacco, vaping and second-hand smoke.

The Lomega YAC used several visual aids and displays during their presentation. These included comparisons of a healthy lung and a smoker’s lung, 3-D graphics of common chemicals found in cigarettes and a tar jar representing the average amount of tar deposited in a smoker’s lungs in one year.

The TAR WARS program includes activities that mimic the effects tobacco use has on the lungs, short-term and long-term impact tobacco products have on an individual, the expense of tobacco products, and the advertising tactics used by tobacco companies.

“Every year, big tobacco companies try to win over new users and target young adults and teens as ‘replacement smokers,’” said Julie Myers, Lomega YAC sponsor. “Educating children of the dangers of tobacco will hopefully help them make educated decisions about tobacco and encourage them to live healthier lives.”

Another lesson taught was “Healthy Bones,” which focused on how to keep growing bones strong through a healthy diet and exercise.

It included a skeleton puzzle that teams worked together to build.