Disclaimer: 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.
Did you know that the average age of a smoker in New York State is 13 years old? During my teenage years in a New York City high school, I had a couple of friends who smoked and I definitely succumbed to peer pressure to try it out. I didn’t grow up around smokers but was definitely intrigued. So, I gave in and tried smoking cigarettes with some friends. Luckily, this habit was not for me and I never touched a cigarette again. But, these days with the seemingly renewed interest and push of e-cigarette advertising everywhere, I am worried about the effects of nicotine product advertising on my own children who are now growing up in New York. It is unbelievable that from 2014 to 2018 e-cigarette use grew 160% among high school students. This statistic is alarming and unacceptable!
My boys are curious, carefree children who are used to seeing tobacco advertising in our local convenient stores. We notice ads both inside and outside of the stores. The bright colorful posters and packaging seems to lure children to see what is inside. My boys and I have spoken about the “fire sticks” as they call them and the dangers that come with smoking. They still do not understand why someone would voluntarily decide to smoke cigarettes and risk damaging their overall health as well as shirtening their lifespans, I am happy that Tobacco Free New York State is fighting to combat tobacco marketing to children and I will be sharing their efforts with my friends, family and online community. I hope you will sign the pledge today.
The “Seen Enough Tobacco” campaign is for parents and caregivers who are fed up of the bombardment of messaging from Big Tobacco geared towards our children. Children in New York State deserve a fighting chance and a tobacco free state.
BE SOCIAL: #SeenEnoughTobacco