DECATUR, Ga. - (May 21, 2003) - DeKalb County residents are invited to join V-103 FM comedienne Wanda Smith to "stomp out smoking" on World No Tobacco Day, Saturday, May 31 from 2 to 4p.m. at The Gallery at South DeKalb (formerly South DeKalb Mall) on Candler Road. The event promotes the Georgia Tobacco Quit Line (1-877-270-STOP) and features cheers and autographs from the Hawks Dance Team, music from V-103 FM and a chance to meet Miss Black Teen Atlanta Daryllynn Nelson.

"I am honored to participate in World No Tobacco Day and help spread the word on the importance of quitting smoking and chewing tobacco," said Nelson. "I believe young people like myself can play an important part in not only encouraging our older family members to quit tobacco use but also serve as a role model for younger children in leading a tobacco-free lifestyle."

The event, hosted by the Prevention Alliance for Tobacco Control and Health (PATCH), also offers free blood pressure screenings and nutrition consultations. The public is encouraged to sign a Wall of Memories to remember a loved one who died or is suffering from a tobacco-related disease with the hopes that such memories will inspire current tobacco users to quit.

DeKalb residents have great cause to celebrate World No Tobacco Day this year. A revised Clean Indoor Air Ordinance went into effect on February 17, 2003, that bans smoking from most public places, work sites and restaurants in unincorporated

DeKalb County. Because of the strengthened ordinance, DeKalb County workers, patrons and visitors are now safer from the harmful health effects of secondhand smoke.

"The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners made great strides in protecting residents from tobacco-related disease when they passed the revised ordinance. We are excited for this opportunity to celebrate a smoke-free DeKalb," said PATCH President Jennifer Errion. We're very glad to partner with the South DeKalb community, and we hope that many people will come out to enjoy the festivities and to learn how to quit using tobacco."

The Georgia Tobacco Quit Line (1-877-270-STOP) is a free, anonymous telephone resource for Georgians 18 and over who want to quit. Studies show that telephone resources like the Quit Line can significantly increase quit rates. The Quit Line has received more than 22,000 calls since its start in November 2001, making it one of the most successful quit lines in the nation.

PATCH is a community coalition dedicated to tobacco use prevention in DeKalb County. PATCH works to empower youth, provide secondhand smoke education, promote resources for quitting tobacco and reduce tobacco-related differences among ethnic populations. Other activities include advertising, youth education, a pilot program that educates college students on the dangers of secondhand smoke, and healthcare provider outreach. For more information call 404-508-7847 or visit www.dekalbhealth.net.