Teen urges nation to kick butts

This column was originally published in 2015.

Dear Annie: My grandmother picked up her first cigarette when she was 11, beginning an addiction that would ultimately take her life. Her story is unfortunately common.

I became a tobacco control advocate to spread the message that tobacco is harmful. I don’t want to see people’s lives or dreams destroyed by these products. I am confident that we can create the first tobacco-free generation. It may sound far-fetched, but I believe we are within reach of a day when tobacco doesn’t sicken people anymore.

Tobacco kills more than 480,000 Americans each year, the vast majority of whom started smoking as kids. The tobacco industry aggressively markets its products to kids with flashy ads and sweet flavours. Tobacco industry documents reveal they have long targeted kids as “replacement smokers” for the people killed by their products each year.

Enough is enough. Kids are taking a stand against

Big Tobacco to say they are not a “replacement,” and they will not let tobacco use take over their lives. Young people are posting selfies on social media at #Notareplacement to say they will not be fooled by the tobacco industry’s tactics.

March 18 is Kick Butts Day, a national day of activism sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-free Kids that empowers youth to stand out, speak up and seize control against Big Tobacco. Please urge your readers to visit kickbuttsday.org to learn more about what is being done in their communities to reduce tobacco use and how they can help.

Magi Linscott, age 19, Harrisonburg, Va.

Dear Magi Linscott:

Our condolences on the loss of your grandmother. So many people still are not aware of the long-term dangers of smoking when they pick up that first cigarette. Thanks to you, we hope our readers will visit kickbuttsday.org to see how they can help.

Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column.