This post was sponsored by Tobacco Free New York State as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. All opinions expressed in my post are my own.
It is of primary importance to me and my family that smoking among our youth be reduced. We have a 14 year old son, and the more he sees other teenagers smoking, the more accepting the idea of smoking may become, and that is not OK. It is scary to think that the average age of a new smoker in my state, New York, is 13! Our youth have been constantly barraged with no smoking messages from their parents, but my fear is that this all gets nullified when they are then subject to watching their peers smoking, which may cause them to think it is OK. It is not.
Look at the outside of this store in my neighborhood, on a typical NY street! Inviting your kids in with promises of candy and soda, and then there it is at every check-out counter, cigarettes!
I told my son that in the “olden” days cigarette commercials were on TV and are now banned. Without TV access, we talk about the fact that tobacco companies are spending billions to put their products in front of kids his ages in stores, so imagine how much more they can be profiting that this huge expense is worth it to them. I explain that the more kids his age see tobacco, the more likely they are to start smoking. This in-store advertising is all over, and now that my son is allowed to go out for lunch in high school, these kids see it all day, every day
I know that lecturing my son will not have the affect I want as far as having him hear my message, so we chat about the dangers of using tobacco. I will talk about a commercial that we see with someone who has suffered physical damage from smoking. I ask for his input. That is the most important part of our conversations, asking for his input, then he feels important and wants to participate in the discussion, every parents goal!
The “Seen Enough Tobacco” campaign is important to my family and to all families as our teenagers are impressionable and the more they are inundated with tobacco product messaging, the greater the danger they might think it is OK to smoke.
Now is the time for everyone to sign the “Seen Enough Tobacco” pledge today to make New York a healthier place to live, work and play!
For more information, please see the links below! And get everyone you know to sign the above petition and take the pledge!
- Tobacco Free New York State Site: http://www.tobaccofreenys.org/
- Tobacco Free New York State Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tobaccofreenys
- Tobacco Free New York State Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/tobaccofreenys
- Tobacco Free New York State Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/tobaccofreenys
Marketing to kids is too easy! Sign the “Seen Enough Tobacco” pledge today to make New York a healthier place to live, work and play!
I remember going to the cancer doctor for her treatment. She had breast cancer Well in one room had 8 men all had lung cancer All these men smoke. Of course I ask them if they would stop some said its hard. I guess that’s true do not know never smoke
I totally agree with you. I find it hard to believe that any cigarette advertising would be allowed with all of the information that we have about the horrible health consequences.
I agree with you 100%. I would love to restrict the number of cigarette, and alcohol ads, that children are exposed to. I know they’ve taken away ads on TV, but nowadays kids are exposed to ads in so many other places that it is impossible to shield them from it at all. I’m glad to hear that you are talking to your son about smoking and staying away from cigarettes.