Chances are, they won't grow up and be included in the 90 percent of smokers who started their habit before the age of 18.

And that's just fine by them -- they've learned over the past few weeks the dangers of tobacco addiction, the results of secondhand smoke and the unattractive side effects of cigarette smoking.

At most elementary schools, children took a look at cigarette advertising and created their own anti-smoking posters.

Several high school students created video PSAs that will air on local channels over the coming weekend, and radio stations will also be airing student-produced announcements.

And some Helena students are creating advertising that counters the messages in media encouraging tobacco use.

Recorded last week, the quirky ads are set to air Thursday as part of the national observance of the Great American Smokeout, sponsored locally by the Lewis and Clark City-County Health Department, the American Cancer Society, The American Lung Association and the American Heart Association.

"We've been teaching kids about media literacy and how the tobacco industry targets youth with advertising, event sponsorship, product placement in movies and store displays," said Dorothy Bradshaw, tobacco education specialist at the Lewis and Clark City-County Health Department. "A big part of this project has been showing kids how to use media effectively to get their own messages out there."

The posters created by elementary students will be on display Thursday through Sunday at the Lewis and Clark Public Library, Downtown Athletic Club, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and at the Myrna Loy Center. Also at the Myrna Loy, student-produced video PSAs will run continuously for public viewing.

The efforts of the Lewis and Clark City-County Health Department and other organizations are not just aimed at cigarette smokers, but also at the use of chew, or smokeless tobacco, as well.

According to Gail Beckner, also a tobacco education specialist at the Lewis and Clark City-County Health Department, Montana ranks second highest in the nation for smokeless tobacco use -- second only to Wyoming.

And under the Big Sky, children are three times more likely to chew than their peers nationwide.

One of the PSAs scheduled for airing throughout the weekend discourages the use of chew and was recorded by Max Carlson, a Capital High School junior.

The Great American Smokeout traditionally takes place on the third Thursday in November and was adopted by the American Cancer Society in the 70s to encourage smokers to give quitting a try if not for life, at least for one day. This year, the Great American Smokeout is also aimed at encouraging businesses to go smoke-free.

Reporter Laura Tode can be reached at 447-4081 or by e-mail at laura.tode@helenair.com.