Connect Bridgeport
Ad
FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTubeRSS
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Community
    • Community News
    • Anniversaries
    • Announcements
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Calendar
    • Churches
    • Clubs & Organizations
    • Directory
    • Farmer's Market
    • File Complaint
    • Greeting Cards
    • Library
    • Lost And Found
    • Obituaries
    • Parks & Recreation
    • Sponsorships
  • Trading Post
    • For Sale
    • Local Deals
    • Services
    • Yard Sales
  • Visitors
  • Relocation
  • Education
  • Jobs
  • Alumni

Student Perspective: Member of RAZE, Leah Stutler Shares its Mission to Stomp Out Tobacco Use

By Leah Stutler on March 24, 2014 from Student Perspective

RAZE is a statewide, teen-led movement to spread the word of the Lies of Big Tobacco in West Virginia. The definition of RAZE is to completely destroy, which is what we are doing. We are giving teenagers and adults information on cigarettes, and how an estimated 443,000 people die prematurely from smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke, and another 8.6 million live with a serious illness caused by smoking. Smoking also causes many cancers, some including lung, larynx, esophageal and oral cancers.
                
About 46.6 million U.S adult Americans and approximately one in five teens in the United States smoke cigarettes. Ninety percent of smokers actually begin smoking before age 21 and about 30 percent of teen smokers will continue smoking and die early from a smoking-related disease. Teen smokers are actually more likely to have panic attacks, anxiety disorders and depression through their high school and adult life. Someone who does smoke is on average more likely to die 13 to 14 years earlier than nonsmokers.
                
Instead of smoking actual cigarettes, teenagers are now using electronic cigarettes. Electronic cigarette use has doubled among middle and high school students. This is a substitute for a cigarette, which still includes nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive substance which many claim is a gateway drug to other drugs. The flavors they are using in electronic cigarettes lure teenagers, as well as those younger, to smoke. Some of the flavors include sweet tart, bubble gum, Pina colada, cherry crush, vivid vanilla, etc. It does not put out cigarette smoke, but yet it does emit a vapor. Even if they are smoking the electronic cigarette, many teens will be curious as to what an actual cigarette is like.
               
The news recently showed teenagers having to be sent to the hospital after drinking the liquid nicotine in the electronic cigarettes.
               
Although there are many people throughout the state smoking cigarettes like it is nothing, now you know the effects it has on them. You could be a person to save someone else’s life if you take a stand and say NO to tobacco.  

Share

Leave a Comment
Login or register

Leave a Comment

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up/stay connected

Create your profile to start adding photos, posting comments, and more.

SIGN UP

Ad
Ad
Ad

Blogs [ view all ]

  • Photo

    From the Bench: Former BHS Standout with...

    Sometimes, opportunity is created by a series of events that may be positive and negative. Such is almost certainly th...

    Posted by Jeff Toquinto

  • Photo

    Time Travel: One of City's Legendary Bus...

    Many may remember this spot from decades ago. This is the Green Parrot Tourist Camp, which was built by Pete Hall - l...

    Posted by Dick Duez

  • Photo

    The Grapevine: Recent Neighborhood Event...

    If you are a summer person, then I am sure you are really happy about the soaring temperatures we have been having.&nb...

    Posted by Rosalyn Queen

  • Photo

    ToquiNotes: Robert Barrett's Journey to ...

    Perhaps it is a smell. Maybe it is something we see. Or often times it is something random that conjures up the memory of...

    Posted by Jeff Toquinto

  • Photo

    Off the Shelf: Summer Reading Program St...

    There’s a month left of this year’s Summer Reading Program, Oceans of Possibilities!   It...

    Posted by Savanna Draper

  • Photo

    It's Happening: A Daytrip to Hovatter's ...

      The giddy repetitions of “Are we there yet?” had rhythmed from the backseat for about the last 10 miles...

    Posted by Julie Perine

  • Photo

    City Faces in Different Places

    This week’s Bridgeport City Face is Tara Linch. Meet her and her family here!   Tell me about you and your...

    Posted by Julie Perine

Calendar [ view all ]

Tue
12

NARFE Chapter 1579 Annual Picnic

Sat
16

Well2Live @ the Park

Sat
23

Mountaineer Food Bank Tee to Table Golf Tournament

 



Bridgeport, WV
Editorial Board Advertise Privacy Policy Contact Us
FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTubeRSS

©2014 Connect Bridgeport.