Medical student members of the American Medical Association (AMA) from the Duke University School of Medicine and the three other North Carolina medical schools mixed their message about the harmful effects of tobacco with fun to get it across to children at the N.C. State Fair.

During two weekends in October, the medical students set up a booth at the fair, where they handed out specially designed balloons that read "Kick Butts" and did face painting for children. They also gave the children coloring books and bumper stickers carrying the health message.

The North Carolina Medical Society-sponsored event followed the theme of the national service project selected by the Medical Student Section of the AMA—"No Butts About it ... Tobacco Stinks."

"The booth was a success," said James Floyd, a third-year medical student at Duke. "Hundreds of children not only had fun but also received important information about the harmful effects of tobacco."