Page 9 - MidWeek - Oct 13, 2021

PROOF POSITIVE
Taking A Stand Against Big Tobacco
A fter hiking miles into Nuʻuanu for an elementary school field trip, nothing could parallel an icy-cold carton of POG. It’s a small mem- ory I dredge up every time those bursts of citrus and waves of sweetness dance on my taste buds, stretching a grin across my face with every sip. For many of us, POG, or any other fruity drink or candy or food, was a defining part of our childhood. Those flavors are the key to activating our
By Joshua Ching, Youth Council member of the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaiʻi
fond memories and feelings.
No one, however, understands that bet-
Over the past several years, our mem- bers have led peer-to-peer presentations and training, organized awareness events and met with state legislators, all in an effort to push for an end to the sale of fla- vored tobacco products and increased reg- ulation on the industry. Personally, serving on this council has empowered me to be- lieve that I, no matter my background or age, have the capacity to fight for justice.
Youth Council members of the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawai‘i (from left) Nikkya Taliaferro (Moanalua High School) and Zoey Duan (Punahou School) take part in the March Against Menthol on March 7. PHOTOS COURTESY COALITION FOR A TOBACCO-FREE HAWAI‘I
advocacy organization in the nation.
As we prepare for the next legislative session in January, we’re looking for advo- cates to get involved. Visit hiphi.org/youth or contact coordinator Scott Stensrud at
No nonsense, just extra
Medicare Advantage benefits.
ter than the tobacco industry. For decades, Big Tobacco has weaponized the flavors of our childhood. In Hawaiʻi, e-cigarette flavors like POG, Maui Hot Bread, and Mauna Dew line store shelves, contribut- ing to our state having one of the highest high school and middle school vaping rates across the U.S. With chemicals like nicotine and formaldehyde in combina-
The efforts of our council received na- tional recognition — the Youth Council was named the 2021 Youth Advocates of the Year by the Campaign for Tobac- co-Free Kids, the leading tobacco control
scott@hiphi.org.
tion, it’s easy for kids to get hooked and caught in a cycle of addiction.
OCTOBER 13, 2021 MIDWEEK 7
COVID-19
VACCINE is available to eligible people
Walk-in’s accepted and by appointment is welcomed.
Check eligibility and schedule an appointment at CVS.com, CVS app
or Scan the QR Code.
www.cvs.com
The Youth Council of the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaiʻi, a group of mid- dle, high school and college students from across the islands, has stepped up to fight that challenge.
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