This post was sponsored by Tobacco Free New York State as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
Lately, I feel like I notice more and more younger people smoking and I can’t believe it. For a long time, it seemed like the dangers of smoking were enough to stop people from smoking. While growing up, both of my parents smoked. Come to think of it, almost all of my friends’ parents smoked. Out of that group, I can happily say that none of my friends smoke. We saw what it did to some of our parents and we did not want any part of it.
Maybe this young group of teens did not have experience with this and they don’t have the experience of seeing someone have health related issues because of it. Andy by young, I mean 13. Would you believe this is the average age of a new smoker! This is way too young!
The emergence of e-cigarettes have exacerbated the use of nicotine products among minors. It seems like more and more teens are trying this each year. From 2014-2018 e-cigarette use grew 160% among high school students. This mom is joining NY in saying ENOUGH IS ENOUGH by signing the pledge!
Tobacco companies are spending billions to put their products in front of our kids in stores. Just like anything, the more kids see tobacco, the more likely they are to start smoking. This makes me so angry that they would be targeting such a young audience.
Here are two easy ways that we can help our children especially our teens see the dangers of smoking:
Talk to your kids.
I always talk to my girls about the dangers of smoking. I have told them how gross my clothes smelled when I would go out dancing before “no smoking” came the norm.
Talk about all that problems that happen when you smoke. Cancer and heart disease are just two of the many health dangers from smoking. Having conversations in general lets your children know that they can talk to you about anything.
PIN TO SHARE AND SPREAD THE WORD
Sign the Pledge to Get Tobacco Out of Sight in Stores
Knowing that our kids are exposed to tobacco products in stores is enough to make me mad. They have definitely seen enough. Walking past local convenience stores makes it so easy to see the variety of cigarettes and e-cigarettes easily available.
Sign the “Seen Enough Tobacco” pledge today to make New York a healthier place to live, work and play!
Tell big tobacco our kids have seen enough by signing the petition here.
Amber says
June 11, 2019 at 1:47 amI’ve signed the Pledge – thank you for sharing this important message!
Dana Rodriguez says
June 11, 2019 at 10:58 amIt is really important to teach your kids the dangers of tobacco. This is a great post!
Barrie says
June 11, 2019 at 5:11 pmI read somewhere that more teens are using e-cigs. This creates more kids actually smoking when they are older!
starchelle haynes says
June 13, 2019 at 6:12 amThanks for the message looking good
VICKIE HEITMAN says
June 13, 2019 at 7:45 pmWouldn’t it be nice if people didn’t smoke?
Kiara says
June 14, 2019 at 12:59 amNice message
Helen says
June 15, 2019 at 5:26 amI am so signing this. I hate tobacco and am so proud of my husband for quitting before we had kids.
Rosie says
June 15, 2019 at 9:09 amI know some states including mine have passed laws that help deter e-cigarettes being available to kids, anywhere up to 21 years old. Hopefully your legislature will take it up to help effect change. It started with parents gathering at Board of Education meetings, then getting the senators and representatives involved, to pass laws. It probably helps to have a small group of people who can put the time and effort in to champion the efforts. It is worth it for sure.
VICKIE HEITMAN says
June 15, 2019 at 7:24 pmSmoking is such a nasty habit!
shelly peterson says
June 16, 2019 at 1:09 amI am glad that I have always been a non smoker. this is an important topic for sure to discuss with your kids.
Sue E says
June 20, 2019 at 10:31 pmI am signing! That’s the least I can do for our kids! I grew up with cigarette smoke 💨 being blown in my face! When we were riding in the car and eating dinner at the table, heck everywhere!! I refused to do this to my children and my grandkids. None of them smoke! Thank you Lord! 🙏🏼❤️
Christina Gould says
June 21, 2019 at 2:16 pmI sure regretted the day I started smoking because it was very hard to quit. Thanks for posting!
Angela Saver says
June 23, 2019 at 3:46 amI hope everyone signs this petition! Such an important issue. Thanks for sharing this!
Kelly Kimmell says
June 24, 2019 at 1:28 pmGreat post, shared on Pinterest. Wish everyone would just stop smoking.
Karen Propes says
June 28, 2019 at 1:43 amSigned, I’m glad they are having this. I don’t want my Grandkids to grow up smoking. I hate to be around anyone smoking,
VICKIE HEITMAN says
June 29, 2019 at 6:18 pmGood of you to promote this campaign!
aviel says
June 29, 2019 at 11:54 pmstop smoking is so hard after 15 years i know what it does and still cant stop…
Betsy Barnes says
June 30, 2019 at 10:49 amGreat article! So very important to teach our children the facts about smoking in hopes they never start.
VICKIE HEITMAN says
June 30, 2019 at 7:22 pmThings we getting better until e-cigarettes got popular