Tobacco has a Lifetime Consequences for Kids

In my job at the Summit Community Care Clinic, parents every day tell me they feel alone in their fight to protect kids from tobacco and other substance abuse. And the fight becomes even harder when the big tobacco companies come into our county targeting children with their colorful, trendy products designed to entice kids to buy. It's not just about cigarettes anymore, either. Now, tobacco companies like R.J. Reynolds are test-marketing dissolvable tobacco products that come in the form of orbs, sticks and strips — including right here in Summit County. I am very worried about kids using these products at a younger and younger age. These products look like candy and are very colorful and attractive. They are intended for children and youth consumption. Naturally, our parents worry about this. Kids are influenced by what they see, and parents have no power. There are no restrictions in selling tobacco here in Summit County because it's a “free county.” Right now, the law that prevents sales of tobacco to people under age 18 is not effective. Many people may not realize what a problem tobacco is. Here in Summit County, tobacco is the number one cause of death, and teens' use of tobacco has shot up 7 percent in the last two years. In Colorado, nearly 4,400 deaths occur each year due to tobacco use, and smoking-related illness results in more than $1.3 billion in medical costs. Smokeless tobacco such as chew and snuff contain more than 28 cancer-causing chemicals. When used, they can cause gum disease, oral lesions, heart disease and leukoplakia. Unfortunately, 90 percent of adult tobacco users began before the age of 18. This problem is preventable. But parents should not have to fight this fight alone. They need the community's support to ensure that all of our kids have what they need to lead healthy lives. I believe a big key to prevention is awareness throughout all of Summit County that tobacco is dangerous. Even adults sometimes don't realize the important role they play. If kids see adults doing things like using tobacco, they'll follow. They'll think it's OK to start. People need to be aware that these products have lifetime consequences for our kids. If we can't stop the big tobacco companies from using Summit County as a market test-bed, we must do more as a community to ensure our children are not able to buy or use these harmful substances. For starters, I challenge every adult out there to talk to two kids — a son or daughter, neighbor or friend — about the dangers of tobacco.