CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Tobacco Free Day at the state capitol will be observed Wednesday, April 2, and the American Lung Association plans to bring 300 to 400 students from across the state.
The students are part of a group called RAZE. Raze members said the name reflects the word “raze,” which means to destroy—the same thing they say they want to do to what they call tobacco industry lies. Liberty High School junior Breanna Cutright said her grandfather was a smoker until she joined Raze and started to use those tools to help him stop smoking.
“For me, it all started at a pretty young age,” Cutright said. “I was in middle school, and my grandfather was a smoker my whole life—he was always outside at family functions and had a cigarette, and that’s what I thought was normal.”
Manager of Health Promotions for the American Lung Association, Laura Williams, said Cutright’s story is more common than not these days. On the other hand, she said many teens still continue to pick up tobacco and get addicted.
“To have that passion and that drive to educate their peers about the dangers of tobacco use and how they can quit,” Williams said. “It’s a huge problem today with the vaping.”
Cutright said getting her grandfather to quit smoking was a long process that ultimately worked. His tobacco use started at about the same age she is, and succeeding in getting him to quit was a huge accomplishment for her as well.
“He was my age when he started, and he was 70 when he quit,” Cutright said. “If he can do it, I know there are a lot more people out there that can, and that’s what my drive is.”
Williams said they plan to have an exhibit of giant inflatable lungs, activities, information, and education on Wednesday to help anyone make an informed decision when it comes to tobacco use. Activities are planned at the Culture Center and the Lower Rotunda.
“We hear a lot of young people say a big reason they start using tobacco products is to deal with stress and anxiety,” Williams said. “So, the participants will be learning some breathing and mindfulness techniques they can use and take back to their peers.”