Syracuse, NY- Destiny USA, Reality Check CO2 and Tobacco Free Onondaga County are teaming up for National Kick Butts Day on Wednesday, March 20 to showcase the dangers of smoking.
Reality Check CO2 and Tobacco Free Onondaga County will host a display in Destiny USA’s Canyon Area on the first level from Wednesday, March 20 to Monday, March 25 to help raise awareness of deaths caused by tobacco use. The display is a shoe pile with each pair of shoes signifying a life lost due to smoking or tobacco use. Tobacco kills an estimated 443,000 American every year.
“National Kick Butts Day is something we like to celebrate every year here at Destiny USA as a Tobacco free property,” Rob Schoeneck, General Manager of Destiny USA stated. “We are thrilled to collaborate with Reality Check CO2 and Tobacco Free Onondaga County on this display to help people realize the dangers of smoking.”
“Smoking is still a big problem,” said Amanda Salce, age 14, Reality Check youth advocate. “Kids my age think smoking is okay since the stores we go to all the time are filled with tobacco products and ads, but we want to change that.” Tegan Gorman, age 16, Reality Check youth advocate said, “The tobacco companies target us as “REPLACEMENT” smokers. The display at Destiny USA will show the deadly consequences caused by tobacco use and hopefully cause people to think twice about using it.”
The community is encouraged to participate in this display by bringing a pair of shoes to add to the display. Each pair of shoes will be donated to local charities that serve those in need on Monday, March 25, after a press conference at 2:00pm on the first level of the Canyon Area.
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Destiny USA is a 2.4 million square foot tourist destination in Syracuse, NY that includes a strong mix of luxury outlet tenants, restaurants and entertainment. New brands are continuing to open to create a unique and dynamic consumer shopping experience. A stunning three-story glass atrium provides perfect weather year round. Oxford Economics has projected an annual visitation rate of over 29 million visitors from throughout the U.S. and Canada. Destiny USA is expected to be the second most visited shopping center in the country, according to Travel and Leisure magazine. It is the largest LEED® Gold certified retail commercial building in the world.
Reality Check, a youth movement developed by the New York State Department of Health Tobacco Control Program in 2000, is committed to exposing the manipulative and deceptive marketing practices of the tobacco industry. It is funded by the New York State Department of Health Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Program.
