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RIVERSIDE / SAN BERNARDINO, CA . . . . The ERADICTOR
- A new, antismoking superhero for children - is now on patrol
in Riverside County and San Bernardino County.
 The
ERADICATOR promotes anti-tobacco awareness to help protect
kids form the dangers of tobacco and misleading tobacco advertising.
We have two goals- to get kids to quit and to prevent them
from ever starting the habit," said IEHP Medical Director
Bradley J. Gilbert, MD.
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.
Additional Information:
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