American Idol Rocks

Friday, May 25, 2007

Teens dis cigarettes on 'American Idol' ad

A group of Tacoma teenagers produced and starred in an anti-smoking public service commercial that aired on local television during Wednesday's finale of "American Idol."

The teens, all from the South End branch of the Boys & Girls Club of South Puget Sound, are: Brittney Williams, 15; Frankie Culver, 15; Eric Franklin, 13; Chiquita Levy, 11; and Davion Franklin, 6.

They made the video under the guidance of Demmarie McKay, an administrative assistant at the South End branch, Boys & Girls Club spokeswoman Rebecca King said.

Their 30-second public service spot, featuring a rap about he dangers of smoking and chewing tobacco, won the "No Stank You!” competition put on by the Washington State Department of Health’s youth anti-tobacco campaign.

Their rap includes the refrain, "You must be wacko usin' tobacco." Perhaps one of it’s most affecting lines and scenes is the rap, “Cigarettes give you cancer or a heart attack" as a young boy lies on the floor getting CPR.

The video was one of six featured in the Washington state television market during the two-hour "American Idol" finale Wednesday evening.

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