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Hey y’all,

I can’t believe it’s already August. The summer’s been going by super quickly -- and the DoSomething community has kept busy these past few months taking action to improve their communities. That includes over 31,000 members who’ve signed up to take down Big Tobacco through our Why We Should Care program, powered by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. Keep scrolling to learn more about this social justice issue we should all care about, and how you can join the movement for a tobacco-free future!

Let's Do This,

Jackie (she/her)

The DoSomething Community is Taking on Big Tobacco and Mobilizing to Decrease Teen Tobacco Use

For decades, the tobacco industry has used predatory tactics with the aim of getting Black, Brown, LGBTQ+, and low-income individuals hooked on its deadly products. The results have been devastating for these communities and for the planet.

E-cigarette manufacturer Juul Labs has also come under fire within the past month for its role in the youth vaping epidemic, with lawsuits claiming the company purposely targeted young people with kid-friendly flavors and youthful social media marketing. The CDC has named e-cigs as a main cause of rising rates of youth tobacco use in 2019 -- an issue that hits close to home for several members of the DoSomething community. 

“I have a cousin who has struggled with tobacco and alcohol use...After seeing what he's had to go through and further seeing my own classmates turn to the use of tobacco in the midst of their high school induced depression and anxiety, I have decided that I want to do something to try to stop the usage of tobacco,” says DoSomething member Carla, 17. “I may not be able to do much, but even if it's informing a couple of my family and friends about just how serious of a problem tobacco is, then I want to make sure to do my part and not stay silent any longer.”

“I was someone who personally became addicted to nicotine in 7th grade. It took a toll on my physical and mental health. There would be times I would hit my vape and have to quickly blow it out because I couldn't breathe,” says DoSomething member Morgan, 17. “I have been 3 months clean of nicotine today. It may not seem that long but it is a huge achievement for me. I want my friends to see the bigger image of vaping to encourage them to stop, as well as everyone in society.”

Educate your friends on the social justice issue we should all care about. Take on Big Tobacco through our Why We Should Care program.

The good news is… Virginia State University is set to forgive student balances for those enrolled within the last year.

My heroes today are… the three young women under 17 years old who earned medals at the inaugural Olympic women’s street skating competition. 

This week in DoSomething pets… VP of Engineering Melissa’s dog Chief! 

More Amazing Impact From the DoSomething Community!

We asked you to brag about the amazing stuff you’re doing, and you did not disappoint. Here are some of our favorite answers from the DoSomething community. (Psst...submit yours here!)

“I started volunteering at blood drives for the Red Cross!”

- Ananya, 16, USA

“I recently completed my first year of my MPH program and completed my research proposal on infant mortality as a population health indicator.”

- Dameia, 24, Mississippi

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