MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Young Vermonters took to the Statehouse Tuesday morning to call attention to the dangers of nicotine use and smoking. The over 150 students from 20 middle and high schools marched from the Unitarian Church on Main Street to the Statehouse.
Our Voices Xposed: A Call to Action for Nicotine Awareness
The annual event, organized by “Our Voices Xposed,” aims to educate lawmakers about the dangers of flavored tobacco and manipulative ads targeting kids. Vermont health officials report that 86% of e-cigarette users are between the ages of 12 and 25.
Brooklyn Peer, a student from Rutland, shared her personal connection to the issue, having lost her father to smoking and nicotine addiction. “He smoked since he was about 15, and he died at 35,” Peer said. “It was really hard for me, especially with all the substance abuse. It’s pointless, and addiction is terrible, not just for you but for your family too.”
The Growing Concern: Vermont Students Rally for Nicotine Awareness
Counter Balance Vermont reports that 16% of Vermont students have used e-cigarettes. Students like Kaylana Simons of Rutland frequently see vaping in their schools. “There’s the big handicapped stall. You’ll see three to 10 girls in there, and you can see the cloud above the stall,” Simons explained.
Opposition to the Nicotine Ban in Vermont
Governor Phil Scott vetoed S.18 last year, a bill that would have ended the retail sale of all flavored e-cigarettes, e-liquids, and oral nicotine pouches. This move came after years of opposition from the retail industry and tobacco lobbyists, who argue that such a ban would harm Vermont’s small businesses and result in a loss of $7 to $14 million in tax revenue.
Health Risks: The Urgent Need for Nicotine Awareness Among Vermont Students
Vermont Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine urged lawmakers to take action as vaping continues to impact the youth of Vermont. “The middle school rates have increased slightly in the last couple of years, which is upsetting,” he said. “While high school rates are more stable, any rate of smoking is a concern.”
Public health officials warn that nicotine use can cause mood swings, stress, and impair learning abilities in kids.
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