What do our kids see when they walk into a local store? The Brooklyn Smoke-Free Partnership and the Chinese-American Planning Council, Brooklyn Branch spent the afternoon with 10 students from P.S. 209 Margaret Mead in Sheepshead Bay discussing just that tobacco.
When describing what she sees at the counter, fifth grader Victoria said, Its right there with thousands of bright colors, and huge banners, and it catches your eye its the first thing you see. Studies show that the more kids see tobacco marketing and product displays, the more likely they are to smoke.An afternoon discussion with these elementary and middle schoolers confirmed it.
These students are taking part in a citywide effort to raise awareness around the dangers of targeted tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship the theme of this years World No Tobacco Day (WNTD).
Every year, on May 31, health advocates around the world mark WNTD, highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption. In Brooklyn alone, 299,000 residents and 4,000 public high school students still smoke.
In an effort to prevent youth from smoking, the mayor and City Council have introduced three new pieces of legislation that will reduce youth access and addiction to deadly tobacco products and prevent todays youth from becoming the next generation of addicted smokers.
These groundbreaking bills would help more New Yorkers live longer, healthier lives and solidify New York Citys legacy as an innovative public health leader.
The Brooklyn Smoke-Free Partnership is part of the NYC Coalition for a Smoke-Free City. We worked with youth throughout the five boroughs to create a video (http://www.youtube.com/NYCSmokeFree) to show the effect tobacco marketing has on our youth.
For more information and to sign a petition protect our youth from tobacco marketing, go to: www.NYCSmokeFree.org.
Rachelle Rochelle is borough manager, Brooklyn Smoke-Free Partnership.
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