Anti Smoking Advocate brings his message to New Hartford

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WKTV News

Story Created: Nov 19, 2008 at 2:50 PM EDT

Story Updated: Nov 19, 2008 at 2:50 PM EDT

NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. (WKTV) - A carpenter who lost his wife to lung cancer has taken that experience as a tool for teaching today's youth about the dangers of smoking. Rick Stoddard brought his message of awareness to the students at OHM BOCES in New Hartford Wednesday.

You may remember Stoddard from a series of public service announcements that aired nationally. Stoddard hopes that his experiences will spur others try kick the habit, "I feel like I'm a very blessed man to be allowed into these schools and share my family's story with them and hopefully change the life of one kid a day," he said.

In addition to traveling the country, Stoddard has also written a book about his experiences called "The Burning Truth," that was published in 2004.

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Friday, Nov 21 at 1:53 PM Freedom of choice affects everyone wrote ...

You're right, it is freedom of choice. Unfortunately though, the rest of us are forced to pay higher taxes to cover your medicaid bills. The rest of us should have the "choice" to not contribute to your well-being. Don't ban smoking, just don't provide healthcare to anyone who smokes unless they have the funds to cover their own bills.

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Thursday, Nov 20 at 2:26 PM lost a parent due to smoking wrote ...

Anonymous you are right, this is America and you do have freedom of choice. We hope you choose to never have children so you won't pass along your self-centered opinion on to them. I applaud Rick Stoddard for having the courage to look past his own personal loss and try and educate children about the dead end road of smoking.

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Thursday, Nov 20 at 9:40 AM Anonymous wrote ...

These people annoy me. If you don't want to smoke, fine. If you do want to smoke, fine. As far as I know this is america and you still have freedom of choice.

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Thursday, Nov 20 at 8:02 AM Syd Pinto wrote ...

Thank you Rick Stoddard for helping to raise awareness about smoking. I lost both parents from the effects of smoking, and am constantly talking to my own daughter of the dangers. I personally have never smoked, but I grew up in a house filled with second hand smoke for almost 18 years. I'm hoping this does not have a long term effect on my health. I am so sorry for your loss. But I commend you for reaching out to raise awareness. My own daughter never knew her grandparents, and that is so sad.

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