Teens take tobacco message on the road to Sacramento

Local teens Dharby Dillon, GraceAnn Reyes and Michael Warren from the Tobacco Free Ninjas recently traveled to Sacramento to take part in Youth Quest 2012, a teen conference and rally focusing on the negative impact of tobacco use and production on the environment. The Tobacco Free Ninjas is a group of teens facilitated by the Human Response Network who conduct activities to promote a tobacco-free community.
The youth participated in a march and a rally on the Capitol steps to raise awareness about the environmental impact of tobacco production and cigarette-butt waste.

Following the rally, the youth met with staff from Assemblyman Wes Chesbro’s office to discuss their concerns about tobacco use and what they have been doing in Trinity County to reduce tobacco use and educate the community.
At the conference, the youth learned that growing and curing tobacco causes deforestation, soil erosion, loss of habitat and air pollution. They also learned that cigarette-butt waste is a problem not only in Trinity County, but worldwide. Cigarette butts are the most littered item in the world.

The Tobacco Free Ninjas have firsthand experience with the problem of cigarette-butt litter. Last fall, the youth picked up more than 1,700 cigarette butts at Lowden Park in just one afternoon.
Cigarette butts aren’t just gross, they are also dangerous. The toxins they contain contaminate the water and soil and are dangerous to children and animals if they eat them.