San Juan, Puerto Rico…[Libna Stevens/IAD]
On Feb. 10, Puerto Rico’s National No Smoking Day, nearly 3,000 excited Seventh-day Adventist students and teachers marched through the streets of the island’s capital city of San Juan. Themed “Dare to be Different”, the march was organized to promote awareness concerning the dangers of smoking.
Elementary and high school students from throughout the island’s 25 church-operated schools shook the streets of Old San Juan for 1.5 miles displaying anti-smoking and anti-drug banners and gathered at Plaza de Armas for a special program.
“We have never organized this large of a march against smoking before,” says Hector Matias, communication director for the church in Puerto Rico. He says that in previous years, some Seventh-day Adventist schools had participated in marches along with other schools and organizations during the no-smoking day.
“This year, the church in Puerto Rico wanted to take a united stand against the smoking habit that is prevalent in our society, and which is taking ahold of young people early on,” explains Matias.
In addition, two non-Adventist schools also joined the march, he adds.
The event was largely organized by the church’s Health and Education departments, says Dr. Elie S. Honore, Health Ministries director for the church in Inter-America. Dr. Honore, who marched along with students and was the main speaker at the Plaza de Armas, complimented the marchers for committing to a drug-free life.
“I want to congratulate you for a powerful and inspiring demonstration…for your firm decision not to smoke and for your commitment to doing whatever you can to make a difference in your community,” said Dr. Honore.
Dr. Honore addressed the marchers and onlookers on the dangers for smokers and non-smokers caused by cigarettes, and stated how a half million people die from tobacco smoking every year worldwide.
The need for more awareness in the young population is what prompted church leaders in Puerto Rico to encourage young people to maintain values on not smoking, and help parents and family members to stop smoking, says Dr. Honore. Honore continues saying that in a study done by the World Health Organization during the year 1999, at least 35 percent of high school girls in Puerto Rico had smoked at least once the week before the survey was taken. So he wanted to reaffirm to the young people how smoking affects young girls’ and boys’ sexual organs early on, in addition to respiratory illnesses later in life.
“The message was loudly conveyed through the banners and posters held up. Some had messages like ‘Protect your life–don’t smoke,’ ‘If you want to have kids, stop smoking,’ ‘Protect the environment,’ and ‘Protect the rights of non-smokers,’ among others,” says Honore. Young students handed out anti-smoking literature while it was covered nationally through television, radio and the press media.
The march ended with a program which included musical numbers by several academy choirs and gymnastic team presentations as well. Also, three prizes were given to the best banner presentations.
Church leaders have already declared that the march will become an annual event for the church in Puerto Rico. Organizers are already planning for next year’s march throughout the island.
Seventh-day Adventists are committed to promoting a positive and healthy way of life that avoids smoking and the use of alcohol and other drugs.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Puerto Rico operates 25 schools, one university and has over 34,700 members worshiping in 275 churches.
