Over 200 high schoolers streamed into the statehouse today to lobby for more money for anti-smoking programs. Members of the student-led group called JEL — “Just Eliminate Lies” — are pressing for a one-dollar hike in the state cigarette tax. Kyla Whitten of Van Buren says “JEL” is working, but state support is dwindling. Whitten says the students want to show legislators JEL won’t stand for more budget cuts. Many of the students wore black t-shirts with a “Kick Butts” anti-smoking message. The kids stood in a circle in the statehouse rotunda during the noon-hour to do a little cheerleading and press their message.
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