A group of Natchez High students think teachers and parents should &uot;practice what they preach&uot; when it comes to tobacco.

Krystal Banks, Brittany Bell and Plezetta West were part of an 11-member team that traveled to Jackson last winter for &uot;Lobbypalooza&uot; — an event where teens from across the state make their concerns known to state lawmakers. Other NHS students who attended &uot;Lobbypalooza&uot; are Jimetriss Hall, Sanquanett Jones and Wil’Lani Turner.

This spring, their efforts were rewarded when the Legislature passed a bill banning tobacco products from school campuses.

For years, students have been prohibited from smoking or using tobacco on school grounds, but the new law extends the restriction to parents and teachers, both during and outside of school hours. All three young women agree teachers and administrators should be role models for students, and tobacco has no place at school.

&uot;Not just for health reasons, but to set a good example,&uot; Bell said. &uot;You need to practice what you preach.&uot;

West said she understands that teachers are sometimes required to teach material that condemn smoking, despite their own views on the issue.

&uot;But they still don’t have a right to (use tobacco) around students,&uot; she said.

The anti-tobacco crusade began when Bell’s mother, Bettye, petitioned the state attorney general’s office for funding for tobacco youth awareness.

The result was TABOO — Tobacco Awareness Buddies Outreach Organization.

Begun in 1999, the group now has more than 60 members who spend four hours a week teaching children in grades 4-6 about the health risks associated with tobacco, helping with schoolwork and playing sports.

Bell, Banks and West are charter members of the organization, which they believe is making a positive impact on area youth.

&uot;If you educate people, they’ll be more likely to make the right decision,&uot; West said.