While the recent tobacco settlement with 46 states represents a significant victory over the tobacco industry, there are sober facts that demand continued attention:

• And estimated 5 million children and adolescents smoke cigarettes.
  
• Every day, 6,000 kids puff their first cigarette.
  
• More than half of them (3,000) will become regular smokers
  
• More than 1,000 of those regular smokers will eventually die from a tobacco-related disease.

"Me must do whatever we can do to protect Inland Empire children from the devastating effects of tobacco," said Dr. Gilbert.

RCMA Executive Director Dolores Green said, "For a long time, the Inland Empire has needed a champion like The ERADICATOR to be on full-time duty. Now it's finally going to happen. When it comes to fighting 'Big Tobacco,' physicians and parents need all the help we can get. We're very excited."

SBCMS Executive Director Linda Stratton said, "The ERADICATOR is a positive, antismoking role model for young children. With more than half of cigarette-makers' annual $5.2 billion adverting budget targeting the youth market, we definitely need a superhero like The ERADICATOR on our side."

IEHP Chief Executive Officer Richard Bruno said, "We are honored and thrilled to cosponsor The ERADICATORS' life-saving work on behalf of the Inland Empire children. Two-thirds of our health plan members are children. So, it is especially important that we do all we can to inform them and their parents about the severe health hazards of smoking."

For more information about The ERADICATOR, call IEHP at (909) 890-2186.

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