We, the eighth grade students in Block 1 of the Linden S.T.E.A.M Academy, petition to increase education about underage smoking and vaping.

Smoking and vaping is a major issue and causes lots of damage to the body. It makes it hard for students to do well in school too, since it affects their memory. Approximately 480,000 people die from smoking per year. It doesn’t only affect those who do it, but the people around them too. About 16,000 people die per year, just from second hand smoking. Most of the time, young people start smoking/vaping because of their curiosity, environment, easy access, and peer pressure. Even if they only try once, it is still dangerous because they can develop an addiction just from that one time.

We believe that students aren’t being taught enough about smoking/vaping and it’s damage. There needs to be a new health curriculum on underage smoking and vaping to help solve this issue!