Students from East County recently learned more about the dangers of tobacco and started planning smoking-prevention activities for their schools at the annual Teens Kick Ash event.

The half-day event was organized by the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) and featured presentations and performances from the Mad Science of San Diego after-school program, Rubio Studio’s CREW, and CASA for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods.

Middle and high school students attended from the Santee School District and Grossmont Union High School District. They spent some of the day creating anti-tobacco campaigns for their schools to recognize the Great American SmokeOut on Nov. 19.

“The day is a combination of education, fun, and tobacco-prevention planning,” said Jim Crittenden, a project specialist with SDCOE.