March 20 marks Kick Butts Day, a national day empowering youth to be activists by standing up and speaking out against Big Tobacco companies. This national anti-tobacco holiday provides an opportunity for Bismarck’s youth to educate their peers and community leaders on the toll that tobacco has on them.
Tobacco companies know that if you aren’t using tobacco by your 18th birthday, chances are you will be tobacco free for life. That’s why they target our kids, and it’s working.
The latest tobacco products, e-cigarettes, vapes and JUULs, are continuing to attract youth to be the next generation of nicotine users. Companies like JUUL, disguise their products to look small, sleek and easy to hide. They also come in a variety of flavors with bright colored packaging often resembling candy, fruit, or kid friendly cereal.
“Many young people aren’t aware of how addictive nicotine products are or that tobacco companies are targeting them to be the next addicted tobacco user” said Jordyn Schaefbauer, Tobacco Prevention Specialist with Bismarck Burleigh Public Health. “Kick Butts Day gives us the opportunity to get that message across and encourage North Dakota youth to be tobacco free.”
According to a survey by Truth Initiative, 63% of JUUL users don’t know that JUUL’s always contain nicotine. JUUL always contains nicotine. Nicotine is derived from tobacco and is a highly addictive substance harmful to youth brain development. In North Dakota, 20.6% of high school students use electronic vapor products compared to the national rate of 13.2% as reported in the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey.
To learn about Kick Butts Day programs taking place in your community, contact Bismarck Burleigh Public Health Tobacco Prevention and Control Department at 701-390-6779.