A simple way to gauge the impact that the Tar Wars Program is having on school-age students in North Carolina is to read the endorsements that come from the students that go through the Tar Wars program. Following are a few quotes from some students, teachers, principals and other people involved from across the state:

From Tar Wars Students-

"Thank you for coming to talk to my class about smoking and tobacco. I liked the part when we got to feel what it was to breathe like a smoker." - Ben

"I really enjoyed you coming to talk to us about tobacco and advertising. My favorite activity was the one with the straws." - Sara

"I learned a lot from you. If one of my friends is smoking, I will try to get them over it." - Courtney

"Thank you for taking your time to our class and explaining to us what tobacco can do you, so when I get home I going to tell my mom to quit even though I told her a hundred times." - Patrick

"I know for sure I will not do anything that would harm my body because I ride horses and you can't harm your body and ride at the same time." Emily, 5th Grader

"Thank you for coming and telling us about smoking and what it does to your lungs. I am sure now no one in my class will smoke." Paige, 5th Grader

"I will never try to smoke. A couple reasons why I wouldn't smoke is you get yellow teeth and nails, you get zoo breath, sore throat, and holes in clothes." Courtney, 5th Grader

"Thank you for coming and talking to us about not smoking. You gave me more reasons to not smoke." Joseph, 5th Grader

From Principals, Teachers, Counselors, Curriculum Specialists

"I would love to have you back for Tar Wars. I think that it is an excellent program." - Becky Barger, Clemmons Elementary

"Hi Tish. I'm cranked up for Tar Wars 2003-04 and I want the new curriculum! Do you know if it will be the same? We will be calling the schools by Sept 19th to establish dates, and I need to do a training by Sept. 8th!" - Nina Lovern, BSN,RN,C,CDE

"Tar Wars has been presented in many of our elementary schools in the past. Tobacco use prevention is a critical issue in our society, with tobacco-related deaths still a leading cause of death in our country, not to mention our county. Additionally, according to student surveys conducted in area middle school during 2000, the average age of first use for tobacco in our county is 11 and tobacco use is often the gateway to other drug use. As you know, elementary age is NOT too early to have this conversation. Tar Wars supplements the tobacco prevention information presented by your Super Kids officer. Many, many teachers send requests to me asking for Super Kids to be conducted as a longer program. While we don't have that as a reality now, "Tar Wars" would be an excellent way to extend the discussion with our elementary age students of making positive healthy choices, whether it is presented prior to or after your Super Kids program is conducted." - Nancy Dixon, WSFCS Safe & Drug Free School Program Specialist