We've learned a lot since C.O.S.T. was founded in 1996. First we learned how the tobacco industry needs kids to replace their customers who die or quit smoking. We know they go after kids. They have to if they want to stay in business. (90% of the adults who smoke started before the age of 18)

C.O.S.T. members now know how powerful the tobacco companies are. They have a lot of money and use it to buy even more power. They pay store owners and movie companies to help them addict kids. They pay big advertising agencies...even our lawmakers to help them.

We know there's a lot that can be done to protect children, like getting rid of the tobacco ads at neighborhood businesses, by getting rid of tobacco vending machines and self-service displays, and by making public places smoke free.

Now we realize how hard it is to get our lawmakers to listen to us. It's hard to make them realize that they need to put the health of people, of children, ahead of what the tobacco companies want.

Since we posted our web site, children and adults have written us from all over the world, many of them wanting to help. Some want to start a group like C.O.S.T. Others want to participate in activities that will bring attention to the problem of children smoking.

We've made lots of friends during the past few years and know that we'll make lots more. We're hoping that you will join us.

With your help, we can make our legislators listen. With your help we can get business owners to listen. Please visit our other pages to learn what you can do.

You can contact us at: costkids@costkids.org