Each day more than 6,000 children smoke for the first time and another 3,000 become daily smokers. Annually, these statistics add up to more than 1 million new, under-aged smokers. Approximately one-third of these children will die prematurely from smoking-related illnesses.

Tar Wars ® was founded in response to this growing, yet preventable, health crisis. Targeting fourth- and fifth-grade students, this award-winning, youth-oriented tobacco-free education program and poster contest takes an innovative approach to teaching tobacco prevention. Tar Wars focuses on the short-term, image-based consequences of tobacco use, and how to think critically about tobacco advertising. A follow-up poster contest at the school, state, and national levels is conducted to reinforce the Tar Wars message.

The AzAFP Foundation joins with the American Academy of Family Physicians in supporting expansion of this educational program to every fourth- and fifth-grade classroom in the United States.

View the curriculum or call 1-800-TAR-WARS to get your free copy.

To volunteer to make a Tar Wars presentation or to request a presentation for your school, contact Lauren Valdiviezo, Tar Wars Coordinator, at the AzAFP office (602-274-3404 or 800-933-2237 or lvaldiviezo@azafp.org).