“Don’t smoke. You’ll choke. Your life will be a joke.”

Members of Mount Airy Middle School’s Students Against Destructive Decisions Club participated in the Great American Smokeout Thursday. They gathered in front of the school encouraging students being dropped off not to smoke. While some students were bewildered by the sight of students yelling at them not to smoke as well as a couple of students dressed as cigarettes, most of them were quick to affirm they would not smoke.

Some of the students in the SADD Club and throughout the school brought up their concerns about the fact that their parents or family members smoked. SADD Club Advisor Jeannie Noble suggested the students participate in the Great American Smokeout as a way to express their concerns.

“We’re here to tell people they shouldn’t smoke,” said Amy Lee Haynes. “Maybe the parents will take it seriously if they see us out here.”

The SADD Club members learned about the effects smoking can have on people and the dangers associated with the habit.

“This presents stuff that can happen,” said Ayano Shelton. “If they have kids maybe parents won’t smoke around them.”

Members of the club see smoking as one of the main issues facing Surry County residents.

“You can go on the highway and the greenway and see all the cigarette butts,” said Maddison Widener. “Smoking is probably our worst problem.”

This is the 35th year of the Great American Smokeout sponsored by the American Cancer Society. The day is designed to encourage smokers to make a plan to quit smoking or to actually quit smoking on that day. The campaign highlights the dangers of tobacco use as well.

According to statistics from the American Cancer Society, an estimated 46 million adults in the U.S. smoke. More than 80 percent of lung cancer cases are thought to be a result of smoking, and lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for men and women.

Contact Morgan Wall at mwall@mtairynews.com or 719-1929.