Hi! I’m Ayanna M. and I am currently a sophomore at Capital High School in Santa Fe, NM. This is my first year with Evolvement and being able to take part in making a change in my community. Evolvement works with two campaigns, one of which is 24/7. The 24/7 campaign works towards the progress of schools becoming tobacco-free – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – whether it be in school or at a school event like prom or homecoming. This topic is so important to me because I have seen so many students experience the negative effects of smoking/tobacco products, and if I can make a difference in making schools in my community tobacco-free then I’m going to take that chance.

It is important for schools to go 100% tobacco-free because students, especially younger students, are so impacted by what they see every day. Smoking and tobacco products in general nowadays are so common in the community that the youth think that it’s normal and are being integrated into the tobacco lifestyle. I’ve noticed a lot that smoking/tobacco products are being introduced as cool and the youth forget about all the negative effects that smoking has. They feel justified in using tobacco products as they see their peers or role models use them and are never punished for their actions. In order for the youths to not face the harmful effects and consequences of smoking and tobacco products in their lives, we need to fight for change in the policies to make schools 100% tobacco-free.

Students are impacted so much by tobacco-free policies as they follow them their entire lives. These policies help shape students into becoming more mature and being more conscientious when it comes to dealing with smoking or tobacco products. With these tobacco-free policies, my generation and the generations of years to come will not have to face the confrontation of peer pressure regarding smoking or tobacco products. A tobacco-free school policy will help my generation grow up happier and healthier, and will help pave the way for a better future and community for the next generations. I know that the change and impact of these policies will make such a huge impact on and in the youth’s lives and I want this so much for my generation and the future generations.

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2. Tobacco Free Policies Impact Future Generations