KING COUNTY, WA - Local young people will get the chance to battle the tobacco industry in the 1999 Bookmark Contest.

King County youth are encouraged to participate by developing bookmark designs that show how tobacco isn't cool or healthy.

Tobacco is the number one preventable cause of death in the U.S. It kills close to half a million people per year, including 53,000 from exposure to second hand smoke. More than 3,000 youth become regular smokers every day in the U.S. as a direct result of tobacco industry advertising.

In the past several years, thousands of young people across Western Washington have participated in tobacco counter-ad contests. The artwork from previous contests has been used in counter ads on buses, post cards, posters, and t-shirts.

This year, the focus shifts to creating anti-tobacco messages that can reach thousands of youth with a fun and useful tool. Contest winners will be from four age groups and will receive cash and product prizes. A reception to announce the winners will be held at Evergreen Community Health Center, May 16, 1999. The winner?s art will be printed into bookmarks and distributed through the public schools and the King County Library system.

Deadline to enter is April 2, 1999. Contest rules and entry forms can be requested by calling (206) 296-7613.

This contest is made possible by funding from the Seattle-King County Department of Health, Kaiser/Group Health and Tobacco-Free Coalition of King County.

For more information, contact the tobacco prevention program at (206) 296-7613.

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