To the editor:

The North Country Healthy Heart Network invites communities across the region to participate in this year’s Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action on March 18.

Take Down Tobacco is a new take on Kick Butts Day, a project of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids that was initially launched 25 years ago. Over the last two-plus decades, youth smoking rates have declined to an all-time low in the U.S. Despite this encouraging trend, youth e-cigarette use is on the rise, undoing progress that’s been made on smoking. 

This year’s national day of action invites youth activists, educators, health advocates and other concerned citizens to raise awareness of tobacco use in their community, encourage youth to reject tobacco marketing and stay tobacco-free, and urge elected officials to take action that protects kids from smoking. The website — www.takedowntobacco.org — has a myriad of resources, including online trainings, e-cigarette information kits for parents, and ways to promote Take Down Tobacco digitally and on social media.

Here in the North Country, the Heart Network can help connect you with resources and professionals to quit successfully. Email me at djones@heartnetwork.org to learn more.

Sincerely,

Danyelle Jones

Project coordinator, Health Systems For A Tobacco Free NY

North Country Healthy Heart Network

Saranac Lake