On February 28, 2002, the Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation (OTPF) launched Ohio's first-ever, statewide, tobacco counter-marketing campaign, branded "stand." That was the day that stand as we know it was born. To introduce the campaign and its purpose to the public, the Foundation held four launch events in Toledo, Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland. Toledo, for example, had the highest smoking rate in the United States when the stand brand first launched. With banners, signs, a huge video screen used to reveal the new TV ads and, most importantly, a huge following of Ohio teens and anti-tobacco organizations, the successful launch event drew lots of media attention.

Some really important folks showed up: Governor Bob Taft, former Attorney General Betty Montgomery and OTPF Executive Director Mike Renner. And that was just the first event of the day! From Toledo, all of the "big wigs" set out on a whirlwind statewide tour, to spread the word of stand's arrival to any and all who would listen. In its early days, stand had to show up and show off to get folks' attention. It's kinda' hard to put into words all the success of the launch event, but the movement and the kids in it are still standin' up and speakin' out to this day. That speaks for itself.