Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health is joining other activists nationwide on Friday, April 1st, to participate in the National Day of Action: Take Down Tobacco Day.
Organized nationally by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Take Down Tobacco Day focuses on calling Big Tobacco's bluff and exposing them for who they are: jokers who gamble with people's lives.
Big Tobacco continues to aggressively market their products to fool another generation into nicotine addiction, especially to youth and vulnerable communities and populations. Take Down Tobacco Day focuses on education and advocacy to end Big Tobacco's reign.
The most recent data from North Dakota's Tobacco Prevention and Control Program for High School students shows:
5.9% currently smoke
21.2% use ENDS
32.7% of ENDS users want to quit
4.3% use smokeless tobacco
2.8% use cigars
"Tobacco companies aggressively market deadly and addictive products while raking in billions of dollars in profits. They develop new products to hook kids while fighting policies that would reduce tobacco use," said Alexis Raymond, BBPH Tobacco Prevention Specialist. In a nutshell, they continue to lie, cheat and fool people into a lifetime of addiction, disease, and death. But we're not fooled. We're going all-in to take down these jokers.
Studies show that e-cigarette flavors are used to improve the taste and mask the harshness of tobacco products, making it easier for kids to try these products and ultimately become addicted. Fruit, candy, and menthol flavors fuel the popularity of e-cigarettes among kids — nearly 90% use a flavored product.
Youth can access local assistance to quit any commercial tobacco or vaping product at Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health. Sue Kahler is a Tobacco Treatment Specialist who can help those who want to quit by developing a quit plan. The quit plan includes preparing for cravings and coping with withdrawal symptoms. Call 701.355.1597 to get started.
To learn more about Take Down Tobacco Day events, contact BBPH Tobacco Prevention Specialist, Alexis Raymond at 701-355-1595.