Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians

May 7, 2008

Megan Riel, Chisago City, drew her way to a second place finish in the 2008 Minnesota Tar Wars Poster Contest. Riel is a fourth-grader at Scandia Elementary School. Her poster, which states ‘If You Blow Bubbles Instead of Smoking – Good Things Might Happen,’ shows a child blowing bubbles. In the bubbles, you see people living longer, saving money, being fit and having a whiter smile. Third place went to Kate Schaaf, of Scandia. She is also a fourth-grader at Scandia Elementary. Schaaf’s poster states ‘Being Tobacco Free Makes Life As Happy As Can Be.’ Posters were judged on artistry, creativity, originality and their ability to communicate a clear POSITIVE message to remain tobacco-free.

The Tar Wars program is taught by family physicians, family medicine residents, medical students and other health care professionals who join together to address the issue of youth-targeted marketing and access to tobacco. These volunteers go into classrooms across the state and share the Tar Wars message. The Tar Wars program is filled with fun and interactive lessons focusing on the long and short-term effects of tobacco use, image-based effects of tobacco use and reasons people use tobacco. Dr. Joan Benner was the volunteer presenter in both girls’ classrooms.

For her efforts, Riel will be awarded a $75 cash award. Schaaf will receive a $50 cash prize.

The posters were judged by more than 350 family physicians during the Minnesota Academy of Family Physician’s Spring Refresher on April 17-18, 2008. First place went to Jordan Reinhart of Courtland, MN.

Tar Wars was developed in 1988 by the Hall of Life at the Denver Museum of Natural History and Doctors Ought to Care (DOC). It has been implemented in 50 states and is owned and operated by the American Academy of Family Physicians. Tar Wars was introduced in Minnesota during the 1996-97 school year. The program reaches close to 400,000 children nationally and internationally each year.

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