By Brielle Carnright
Tobacco Project Coordinator, The Heart Network
Youth across the North Country will participate in Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action on April 1, a nationwide movement of young people standing up and speaking out against the tobacco industry, organized by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
Participants will focus on three calls to action this year: urging the Biden Administration to finalize its rule eliminating menthol cigarettes; calling for the FDA to complete its review of e-cigarettes and clear all flavored vaping products from the market; and pushing local and state agencies to act to end the sale of flavored tobacco.
The Heart Network and its tobacco cessation partners have worked together for years to raise awareness about the dangers flavored tobacco poses to kids. Fruit, candy and menthol flavors make such products more attractive to teens — in fact, nearly 90 percent of youth that use tobacco choose flavored products.
On Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action, youth advocates are organizing demonstrations, rallies and educational events to call out the tobacco industry and demand action from elected leaders. Take Down Tobacco is a program of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids to empower youth to create change in their communities, with the goal of achieving the first tobacco-free generation.
To learn more, or to sign up your school or community for a local event, visit tobaccofreekids.org. To learn more about The Heart Network’s tobacco cessation work, get in touch: call (518) 891-5855 or email bcarnright@heartnetwork.org.
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