ALEXANDRIA, VA – High school students and local businesses joined forces to spread awareness about the dangers of youth tobacco use during Take Down Tobacco Day on April 1.
Students posted large red stickers with the words “Take Down Tobacco” throughout the city. The purpose is to draw attention to the harm of marketing tobacco products to youth.
“I am so proud of the efforts of our students to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco use in school and in the community. Each of us has a role to play in building a healthy community,” Mayor Alyia Gaskins told The Zebra, emphasizing the need to put the spotlight on the dangers of malpractice tabacco to young people in and around Alexandria. “Through their actions, leadership and advocacy, we can reduce youth substance use and abuse.”
Take Down Tobacco Day is a nationwide coalition run by students, law enforcement and local government officials. Together, they call upon businesses to cease and prevent the sale or gifting of tobacco products to minors. State laws are in place to prohibit both acts.
ALXnow first reported that the following businesses will carry the Take Down Tobacco stickers, serving as partners with the students:
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The Glass Stache (222 N. Lee Street)
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Scottish Merchant and John Crouch Tobacconist (215 King Street)
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Old Virginia Tobacco Co. (210 King Street)
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Harris Teeter (735 N. St. Asaph Street)
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Safeway (500 S. Royal Street)
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Shell (801 N. Washington Street)
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Old Town Auto Care (834 N. Washington Street)
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Community Market (1006 Madison Street)
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7-Eleven (800 Franklin Street)
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Giant Foods (621 E. Glebe Road)
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Shell (442 N. Henry Street
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