Loading...

Tobacco Free School Divisions

My name is Zarielle A and I am a junior at Granby High School. I have been involved in Y Street for 2 years now and this has been my first year on the Y Street Leadership Team.
I feel that tobacco-free school divisions are important because when comparing class averages in test scores between smokers and non-smokers, those who smoke tend to score very low. From this, it is concluded that smoking and tobacco use causes negative effects on our youths academic processing and school participation. As a student, those around me that are tobacco users in my opinion, are pushing themselves down a negative path especially being so young. Tobacco use comes with many health problems, so since we are so young, we can almost “set” a pathway for our health to follow, for those who are tobacco users, to me, are already damaging their health’s future. From personal experience, my parents both used to be heavy tobacco users, so I’ve witnessed the many health problems they went through from tobacco use. It wasn’t until they both stopped smoking that their health became better and they no longer suffer the many health effects they used to have.
A tobacco-free school impacts a community by not allowing for harmful substances to be used in an area where progress and growth should be made. Also, tobacco-free schools tend to have information available to those who need it; for example, signs, in which the information help to aid the youth and community as to why tobacco use is so harmful. Students are influenced by tobacco-free policies by learning of the many consequences that come with tobacco use on school grounds, being given places they can go to for help if they are already tobacco users, and the benefits of being “informed” or “persuaded” to quit. With school board meetings, principal meetings, signs, information cards, and school held events, Y Streets efforts help schools by thoroughly providing aid, information, and guidance to tobacco users and to the schools in hopes of the students and the school division in becoming 100% tobacco-free.

For more information on the 24/7 Campaign, visit 247campaignva.com.

More Blogs

A Terrific Tabling Event

Hi everyone! My name is Amber, and I am in the 10th grade at Manor High School in Portsmouth. This is my first year as a member of Y Street, and it has been an absolutely incredible experience. One of the most amazing things I have participated in was our Rev Your Bev event that […]

READ MORE
Turning the Table with Rev Your Bev

Hello! My name is Aliyah and I am currently a junior at Granby High School in Norfolk. This is my second year in Y Street and my first year on the Y Street Leadership Team (YSLT). I have participated in multiple opportunities for our campaigns, Rev Your Bev and Share The Air, that have provided […]

READ MORE
My Rev Your Bev Experience

Hey! My name is Kevin. I’m a sophomore at Page County High School. This is my first year in Y Street, and so far I’m enjoying it. Recently, some other members and I helped host a Rev Your Bev event at our school and it was a lot of fun. The event took place during […]

READ MORE
Teamwork

Hello! Our names are Vivian and Ayla, and we are 9th graders at King George High School. This is our first year in Y Street. Recently, we had the amazing opportunity to meet virtually with Delegate Margaret Ransone to discuss Y Street’s campaigns and goals. We first heard about the opportunity to meet with Delegate […]

READ MORE
My Y Street Training Experience

Hey! My name is Daniela and I am a sophomore at J.R. Tucker High School. I have been a part of Y Street for two years now. This year, as a returning member, participating in the training was straightforward and educational. The training consisted of four online modules. These modules included information about our campaigns, […]

READ MORE
Brunswick High School Hydrating Youth

Hi, fellow Y Street members! My name is Jaila. I attend Brunswick High School and I am in the 12th grade. I am honored to write about Brunswick’s SECOND Rev Your Bev event this year featuring Russell Middle School! Taking this event to the middle school was a great opportunity to educate younger students about […]

READ MORE