REBEL
(Reaching Everyone by Exposing Lies)

REBEL is a grassroots initiative created by and for teens to prevent tobacco use among their peers and the community.

New Jersey REBEL began in November, 2000, when New Jersey teens worked together to create the name at the "Kick Ash Bash" youth summit in McAfee. Since the summit, teens have worked in their counties with an adult youth coordinator to develop and implement plans for their county to combat tobacco use.

In August , about 700 New Jersey teens came together to tell Big Tobacco they are not for sale. Representing all 21 New Jersey counties, teens traveled to the Liberty Science Center for the REBEL (Reaching Everyone by Exposing Lies) Rally at noon.

Several speakers were featured at the rally, including Acting Gov. Donald DiFrancesco, who commended REBEL members for their efforts. Other speakers included Christine Grant, commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services.

At the rally, students talked about advertising techniques used by Big Tobacco, such as increasing advertising to magazines with more than 15 percent teen readership. They also talked about the new "Not For Sale" media campaign and viewed commercials to be shown on MTV and WB. Everyone in attendance received a T-shirt, pen, folder and shopping bag with the "Not For Sale" logo. In addition, the REBEL Web site, www.njrebel.com, was launched. The site includes facts ("Tobacco use in New Jersey causes up to 13,000 deaths per year"), ways to quit smoking, upcoming events and how to join the organization.

To end the rally, REBEL members read a "Declaration of Independence From Tobacco," which will be presented to the state legislature.

Sha Sha Xu, 15, a sophomore at North Brunswick Township High School, said the rally was "a great learning experience." "It was also great to meet fellow REBELs who follow and believe in the same cause," she said. Caitlin Cooper, 16, a junior of Woodbridge High School, said the rally was fun.

"I think the more people that get involved, and the bigger we make this, the more successful it will be," she said. "I thought it was a good start to something that is going to blow up and have a good impact on people."

Shirley Rodriguez, Middlesex County youth coordinator for REBEL, said the REBEL rally was successful in uniting New Jersey teens to take a stand against smoking.

"…And in letting them know that they have the support of powerful state legislators and officials, as well as the support of other teens," she said.

NJQUIT.NET
www.njrebel.com
(REBEL against smoking, teen sight)