Photo courtesy of BREATHE California of Los Angeles County.

BREATHE California of Los Angeles County, a recipient of a $40,000 grant from the CVS Health Foundation as part of CVS Health’s $5 million commitment to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, is using some of their funds to host assemblies at schools throughout LA County this summer as part of their “No to Tobacco” prevention program.

According to the release, studies have shown that teenagers aged 13 to 17 are more likely to start smoking cigarettes in June and July than any other month in the year, according to study results released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Students at Washington Middle School in Long Beach will be shown the Tobacco Presentation on July 9 at 12:00PM. According to the release, the presentation is highly interactive, educational and does not implement scare tactics to dissuade youth from using the substance.

The “No to Tobacco” module is taught by one of BREATHE LA’s professional lung health educators and covers breathing, tobacco, lung health, media awareness, the cost of tobacco, and assertive communication.

According to Brad Lebowsky of BREATH LA, the organization seeks to reach 8,000 third to eighth grade students throughout the county.

“Since 1903, BREATHE LA has protected the breath of life and is committed to tobacco, e-cigarette, and vapor prevention throughout the Los Angeles County area,” Lebowsky told the Post. “The goal for these funds is to support programs that help reduce youth tobacco use and exposure and empower youth to raise awareness among the public, media and state community leaders about the problem of youth tobacco use.”