Kaneisha Smith works for the Northwest Georgia Regional Cancer Coalition, and one of her responsibilities is presenting Tar Wars to Northwest Georgia! Kaneisha sat down with Lauren Shamblin, Statewide Manager for the Tar Wars program, to share her experiences.
Tell us a little about yourself!
Hi! I’m Kaneisha Smith and I currently work for the Northwest GA Regional Cancer Coalition. I was born and raised in Rome, Georgia. My educational background is in psychology with degrees from UGA and Capella University. In my free time, I run a dog treat business called Mr. Pickles Dog Bakery. When I’m not doing that, I enjoy spending time walking in nature, baking, or reading webcomics.
What has been your experience with Tar Wars?
I have heard the Tar Wars presentation delivered to a group of children a few times, but I’m very new to teaching it myself. Most of the presentations I’ve given have been with elementary-aged children, and they LOVE asking questions to learn more. Much of their curiosity stems from what others may have told them, or what they’ve seen. I feel like I’m making a difference in their education by teaching them the truth about tobacco.
Do you have a good memory or interesting experience you can share?
After one presentation, a girl with asthma asked me how cigarettes can impact breathing. Since I struggle with asthma as well, I connected with her on the importance of using her inhaler and used my Tar Wars knowledge to educate her on how cigarettes could further impact her ability to breathe.
What would you say to someone who is considering becoming a Tar Wars volunteer presenter?
Unfortunately, most children have family members using cigarettes or vapes. However, being able to provide these children with information on the dangers of such products helps them to be able to make healthier decisions. Volunteering to deliver Tar Wars is a great way to help educate the youth with facts from a reliable source, especially since they are probably unaware of the actual dangers of tobacco.