Hey!

Super excited to share with y’all that DoSomething recently teamed up with actress and dancer Ava Michelle on this PSA for our Why We Should Care program, powered by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids.

Check it out, and then keep scrolling to learn more about why fighting tobacco use is a social justice issue we should all care about.

Let's Do This!

Jackie (she/her)

Why These DoSomething Members Care About Taking Down Big Tobacco (And Why We Should Care Too)

Tobacco use isn’t just a health issue -- it’s a social justice issue.

Through our Why We Should Care program, powered by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, the DoSomething community is fighting back against Big Tobacco’s predatory tactics and the production of its deadly, addictive products.

These DoSomething members are joining the movement against Big Tobacco and expanding their advocacy through the causes they care about!

Racial Justice

“This campaign is important to me because it hits close to home. I am a Black girl, and my godmother developed breast cancer and had to undergo chemo because of her usage of tobacco products. She fought really hard and survived, but it was a long struggle,” says DoSomething member Sage, 17. “To now learn that the tobacco industry purposefully targets communities of color, who are often far more vulnerable, enrages me because their products are extremely dangerous and using them can be fatal! This industry profits off of exploiting vulnerable communities, and this is why I care and why I believe we need to make a change.”

Mental Health

“They weren’t my greatest moments, but I had hit rock bottom and didn’t think there was a way out, so I used tobacco as a coping mechanism. I thought I could get away from my problems by using tobacco. However, finally I realized that it wasn’t helping me -- in fact, it was hurting me even more, so I stopped,” says DoSomething member Genivee, 17. “I want everyone to know that even though it’s addicting, you can get through it and turn your life around. It’s important that these companies be stopped because not only is it targeting people of color, it’s also targeting young kids and young adults and taking the lives of many.”

LGBTQ+ Issues

“Many, many important people in my life are LGBTQ+, so I acknowledge the way it impacts people in the real world. This isn’t some distant, online issue that can be brushed away, it’s something that deeply impacts the people directly in my life!” says DoSomething member Emily, 17. “Trans people especially face the highest vulnerability due to disproportionately having way less healthcare access across the board, and additionally receive less treatment when they feel comfortable seeking it at all. I saw how smoking impacted my dad, my grandmother, and my aunt and uncle, and I would hate to see any of my friends see even a piece of that happen to them, especially without the access to resources and healthcare that my family members have.”

If you care about racial justice, the environment, mental health, and LGBTQ+ issues, educate your friends on the force threatening them all: Big Tobacco.