Photo: On March 25, deemed National Kick Butts Day, local middle, high and alternative school students learned that in the state of Tennessee, 54 people die each day of tobacco-related illnesses. The Blount County Community Health Initiative worked with the schools to begin posting signs with the number 54 on them through the hallways several weeks ago. Students and staff were puzzled by the meaning of the number “54,” but were encouraged on Wednesday to kick the habit or never start smoking. The Community Health Initiative blanketed a total of 14 schools within the community, as well as the outpatient lobby of Blount Memorial Hospital. Pictured here with the banner for Alcoa Middle School are staff, as well as principal Jim Kirk and eighth grade class president Mustafa Anderson, center. - Maryville, TN

On March 25, deemed National Kick Butts Day, local middle, high and alternative school students learned that in the state of Tennessee, 54 people die each day of tobacco-related illnesses. The Blount County Community Health Initiative worked with the schools to begin posting signs with the number 54 on them through the hallways several weeks ago. Students and staff were puzzled by the meaning of the number “54,” but were encouraged on Wednesday to kick the habit or never start smoking. The Community Health Initiative blanketed a total of 14 schools within the community, as well as the outpatient lobby of Blount Memorial Hospital. Pictured here with the banner for Alcoa Middle School are staff, as well as principal Jim Kirk and eighth grade class president Mustafa Anderson, center.