i'i'veronique. here's this week's top story. >his report is brought to you by a grant from the connecticut tobacco & health trust fund. >> while tv commercials for cigarettes have been banned for more than 40 years, tobacco companies are still finding waysys to advertise their products, especially to teens. joining me to discuss this are gustavo torrez and magi linscott. they dedicate their time to keeping kids and teens tobacco free. welcome. >> hi! thank you so much for having us. >> yes, thank you. >> magi, let's start with how tobacco companies are advertising, since they're not allowed to do so on tv. >> since they're not allowed to do so on tv, we see them advertising in other ways.

every time you open up a magazine or walk into a convenience store, those messag, the tobacco advertisements -- are right there. and they're really, really eye-catching, especially to youth and teens. teens are definitely being still marketed to and targeted in different ways. we're just seeing it a little bit different nowadays. >> in 2009, president obama passed the tobacco control act, which put new restrictions on tobacco marketing to minors. so how are they getting around those restrictions? >> well, as magi started to allude to, they're just finding new ways to market their product towards young people. there's the slslk advertising advertising their products. as magi was mentioning, when you go into convenience stores, we can't go into a convenience store today without seeing these advertisements allver the door at eye level of youth. the product placement -- tobacco being placed right by candy, right by the counter. and then these new emerging products the tobacco industry is

and sweet and flavored cigars. we have e-cigarettes in flavors like gummy bear and cotton candy. obviously we know who the tobacco industry is marketing with those products. >> and they spend a lot of money on advertising to do so. can you give us an idea on how much they spend? >eah. the totocco industry spends $8.8 billion a year in marketing their products. that's about $24illion a day and $1 million every single hour. and over the last 20 years, we've done a lot of really great work, and we've been able to reduce youth smoking rates over haha. but in connecticut, we still have 13.5% of youth who still smoke, so there's definitely a lot of work we still need to do. >> yes, there is. and you guys refer to something called a "replacemenensmoker." what is that, exactly? >> so, this may sound outrageous and crazy, but a tobacco company

adults, youth,h,o replacement smokers to replace the 500,000 people who die each year due to tobacco use. and so, that's just pretty outrageous, you know, calling a whole generation replacement smokers. and so that's where the "not a replacement" campaign kind of came into fruition, and it essentially kind of harnesses the power of t t selfie, and it kind of gets youth to take their own selfie statements saying that they are not replacement smokers, that they're so much more than that, that they're musisians and athletes andnd dancers and readers. and it really highlights how diverse our generation is. campaign. stop this? >> well, the biggest thing is speaking up, having a voice. that's the great part about the work magi was doing in florida. she saw an issue, and she spoke up about it. and she's the one, with her group, created this amazing "not a replacement" campaign, which any young person can get

volved with by going to kickbuttsday.org. they can download a selfie statement, they can upload it through social media channels. so, just by taking a stand is one of the first ways that we really want to encourage young people across the nation to really join in. >> and just to add to that, you know, there are youth who are currently, you know, doing state-house rallies and talking to their legislators about tobacco-free issues, something as simple as going to your school's health club or taking the time out of your day to print out a selfie statementnt simply by just caring about the issue, youth are doing a lot to make a change. >> gustavo, magi, this is a lot of great information. us. >> thank you so much. >> thank you so much. >> studies show that 90% of adult smokers began smoking while in the teens or younger. that!s why it's so important for us to be aware of their advertising tataics -- so we never start smoking.

but if you know someone who does, they need to stop. so, share this number -- 1-800-quit-now. they even have a special program st for teens.

can be such a big problem. >> we're always told that we should enjoy the great outdoors. but as scott reports, we also need to be careful. >> whether it's your backyard or a hiking trail in a national park, you have to beware of the wildlife. [ bear roars ] well, things like bears, mountain lions, gators, and snakes are obvious. i'm talking about a critter that's so small, it's often hard to see. >> [ screams ] >> yes, i'm talking about ticks. and dr. sheila nolan's an expert. she's a from the maria fareri children's hospital at westchester medical center. so, why are ticks trouble? >> so, not all ticks are troubl certain ticks can carry diseases that they can transmit to people, and those e e the ticks that are trouble.

>> so, it depends on where you live. certn ticks can cause diases such as lyme disease. another one is rocky mountain spotted fever. and there's lots of other diseases that you see throughout the country, just depends on where you live. >> so, how can we avoid beinin bitten by ticks? >> so, ticks like to live in wooded areas, long, high, grassy areas. when you're going into those areas, you should ar long sleeves, long pants. you should tucucyour pants into your shoes and socks, and wear bug spray, spray bug spray, preferably one that has deet in it. and light-colored clothing is also something good so if the tick is on your clothing or starting to crawl, then you can easily identify it and pick it off. >> okay, so we do all thatat are we done? >> no. the most important thing is to check yourself to see if any ticks have gotten on your skin. ticks like to crawl on, and they bury themselves a litttt bit

under, 'cause they're looking for your blood and they want to feed on your blood. so, the main thing to do is to look. if you see that a tick is just crawling, you can pick it off and remove it. >> okay, so we find one of these blood suckers on us. what do we do? >> if you see that a tick has started to -- is attached and it's not easy to take off,@then what you need to do is get a a tweezers and gently and slowly pick it at the body, the fattest part of it, and slowly remove it. >> so, how can you tell if you have a disease f fm a tick? >> so, tick illnesses can present in lots of different ways. you'll see rashes with some, fevers with others. the main thing to do is, if you've been bitten by a tick, once you've removed the tick and you are concerned that it's been on your skin for a long period of time, because it takes time for the tick to be able to actually transmit a disease, you can bring it to your doctor. you can call your doctor and let them know that you have a concern. if you do remove the tick and

are going to bring it to your doctor, , t it in a ziplock plastic bag just in case, per chance, it's still alive. [ chuckles ] you don't want it crawling away on you. but then, the main thing to is, if you feel ill, if you are concerned about certain symptoms, is to gigi your doctor a call. >> so, are ticks such a problem that we should really be worried about going outdoors? >> no. you need to be able to go outdoors, and not all ticks will transmit diseases, so if you follow the good precautions and make sure you do tick checks, then you should be jt fine. >> well, i'll keep all that in mind. thank you, doctor. >> you're welcome. >> so, before you go into a risky area, you might want to make a checklist of the doctor's dos and don'ts and "tick" off each#one. for "tn kids news," i'm scsct. >> for most of us, the common cold is all too common, but here's something you probably didn't know. coughing can be more than just a nuisance. it can actually hurt you. in fact, if you cough too hard,

that's nothing to sneeze at. >> using brushes and paint, students have created a touching tribute to our men and women in

my report is coming up. >> the men and women of america's military put their lives at risk to keep us safe. a lot of us take their service and sacrifice for granted, but not the kids at one scol in brooklyn. eric has the story of their ongoing effort to honor fallen heroes. >> we've reported before about mckinley junior high school. what startrt as an unusual art project has grown over the years. the last time we visited the school, the students were unveiling a tribute to the heroic first responders on 9/11. the hallway art wasn't simply for decoration. it was also for education. one of the teachers behind the project realized that many students were growing up unawa of a very important t rt of our

attacks on september 11, 2001. >> they knew nothing about 9/11, and we decided we're gonna change it. we're gonna do a mural 270 feet long that will explain the whole thing. >> that part of the project was finished bacin 2012, but they didn't stop there. >> thank you for giving me the opportunity... >> recently, guests gathered at the school once again. and this time, in addition to policecefficers and firefighters, there were representatives from the military on hand. that's because the newest mural created by the students honors the men and women of our a aed forces. it begins with the flag of heroes above the doorway and continues all the way down the hall. >> the 6,000 names that are on these walls here are the soldiers who died in iraq and

afghanistan helping to keep our country safe from terrorists. >> each name was carefully painted by hand. >> we worked on the mural for eight months. there's a lot of hard workers here. >> a lot of the work was done early in the morning, before classes started. >> the leaves -- we've made them go and float into the names, symbolizing the rebirth and the memory of the soldiers, because they're still within us in our hearts. >> and like the soldiers they're honoring, the artists wear their own special version of dog tags. >> it shows that you've been working on the mural and that you have the courage to work on it and make a difference. >> and it's supposed to, once again, represent hope, freedom, everything the soldiers fight for. >> i've en in combat five times, and every time you deploy and you're away from your family, away from, actually, the

you wonder if people reallcare and people are actually thinking about you. it makes me feel much better when i see things like this. >> i have deployed, too, and it brings memories back just to see these names on the walls. and to see some of the paintings that they have done -- it's remarkable. what really impressed me the most is that our kids are taking the timemeo do this. >> this is truly incredible to think that basically sixth through eighth graders did all this. you know, just to know that the younger generation really, you know, appreciates the sacrifice of those who have gone before them is really humbling. >> at the school assembly earlier that morning, one of the guests sang a song she had written. >> my memory of you will never fade the song is about what it means to never forget. and what the words really

indicate is that the people who we've lost still exist in our lives. they're not forgotn, and that's what this song is all about. you sacrificed that day you're gone but not forgotten and no matter how many years my memory of you will never fade >> i really want to honor these people, and i want to learn more. >> disappear the mural project h h been going on for more than 10 years. recently, they've chosen a new hallway to honor the first responders of superstorm sandy. for "teen kids news," i'm eric. >> this important message is brought to you by the national

[ cellphone e imes ] >> so, how was your drive? >> interestiti. >> coming up, we go to the

elephant. >> who doesn't love the circus? alexa visited one that bills itself as having a lot of "soul." >> when you go to the circus, you expect to see acrobats, wild animals, and other incredible acts from faraway countries. as zeke explained to me, the universoul circus certainly has all that. >> we bring different people from china.

we bring them from brazil. we bring them from france. jean claude -- he's out of france.. we go to africa. we go all over the world. [ hip-hop music plays ] >> what makes this circus different from other circuses? >> what makekeit different to me is that it's more interactive. you're not just sitting out there looking at the show. you actually become a part of the show. we get kids the audience dancing. that's one of my t tills. >> as one of the co-hosts, zeke interacts with the audience throughout the show. he even plays simon says, but with a bit of a twist. >> simon says open your legs like this, bend down. simon says arms out to the side. simon says wiggle your fingers like this. simon says swim like this. d we going, bump, dadaump, da-dun, da-dun, da-dun, da-dun, dun, and that's a swag surf. you got it.

simon says swag surf! bow! alexa, you got it. boo-ya! >> ever wonder why circuses have rings? it's because the ring is the best way for riders to do tricks on cantering horses. why did you want to join the circus? >> well, i'm glad for the opportunity to showcase my country's talent and to do different stuff f the same time. >> so, you actually get to ride this elephant behind us? what's that like? >> yes, i do. it's different, because it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunityty it's a little challenging. the elephants have a mind of their own, but it's a great opportunity. this is my beautiful elephant. >> in addition to riding an elephant, she's also a caribbean dancer and showgirl. so, what does it take to be a showgirl? >> first, you need one of these beautiful headpieces. >> wow. >> can i put it on you? >> i would l le that. wow! this is big. i feel like a bird.

could you teh me some of the moves you do on the elephant? >> sure. i can teach you one or two moves. >> maybe i can practice them on the ground while you go on the elephant. [ both laugh ] >> hit, hit. you got that? hit, hit. pose. around. >> just watching her made my head spin. i was happy to make the elephant's acquaintance from sasaly on the ground. hi. wow, and that's its nose? >> this is the trunk. aikea. >> can i pet i i aikea. wow. [ chuckles ] it's so -- it's pointing its nose at me. it's so big and pretty. i love the headpiece that it wears. it's so glittery. this circus not only prides itself on being interactive and

the messages it sends to kids in the audience. we got educational things where weave a kids' pledge w(ere we do a motto thing where we keep them to stay away from drugs, love your family, and always believe in yourself. and anything in life that you want to accomplish, you can accomplish. >> parr traditional circus and part cultural celebration, the universoul circus is all fun. for "teen kids news," i'm alexa. >> a dutch firm and a software company are creating a robot that can build bridges. using technology similar to what printers use, the robot shoots out cords of molted steel in intricate patterns. once the s sel hardens, the robot moves forward and shoots out more molten metal. it's like a train building its own tracks.

amsterdam canal in 2017. >> this report is brought to you by paramount pictures. >> you got your seatbelt on? >> if tom cruise is behind the wheel you know it's going to be a thrill ride. and "mission: impossible -- rogue nation" is loaded with jaw-dropping stunts. >> go. >> the syndicatexis real, and they know who we are. >> the syndicate i itargeting agent ethan hunt and his i.m.f., the impossible mission force. >> a rogue nation trained to do what we do. >> an anti-i.m.f. >> they'y' coming after us witit everything they've got. >> with support from their own government cut off, the i.m.f. is on the run on the ground... and in the air. and tom cruise performs these aming stunts himself, a feat that is not that common in hollywood. >> open the door! >> come on. >> yeah, i'm trying. >> benji, open that door right now! >> cruise takes on one incredible stunt after another, including an underwater sequence that is literally breathtaking. >> you have to get through 12 feet of concrete and

70,000 gallons of pressurized water without any metal. >> no oxygen tanks. [ inhales deeply ] >> these scenes are challenging for the actor and the filmmars. >>nderwater photography is extraordinarary difficult and time consuming. it's dangerous. it's slow. >> the crew built a huge filming tank, and each shot was carefully planned so they knew whbt it was going to take to capture the underwater action. we realized very quickly that tom was going to have to be holding his breath for a very long time. >> normally in underwater sequences, people hold their breath for 10 seconds, 15 seconds max. so, i had to prove to everyone that it was actually safe. >> cruise and his co-star rebecca ferguson went through military-style training. >> bically what i'm doing is taking tom and rebecca through a breath-hold special operationsns program. >> you act differently. don't breathe. >> with practice, tom cruise learned how to hold his breath for six minutes! >> [ gasping ] >> do not try this at home. but soon, you can enjoy the

movie at home. the "mission: impossible -- rogue nation" blu-ray combo pack with digital hd includes the blockbuster momoe plus really cool behind-the-scenes footage showing how they created those amazing stunts. >> no, no, no, no, no. >> for "teen kids news," i'm amelia. >> that looks really good! we'll see you again next week with another edition of

see you!

info@teenkidsnews.com > "the young icons" gives you a glimpse of the brightest and best. coming up on next week's episode -- this teen has a hunger for making the world a a bet are place. that's exactly what she is doing.

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