Dorchester youth goes to D.C. to urge congress to be tougher on tobacco
(Image courtesy Health Resources in Action)
Queenly Amankah, on the left, and Brittani Jones of Dorchester speaking about the influence of tobacco products.
A local teen recently returned from Washington D.C. after letting Congress know what she thinks about smoking.
Brittani Jones, 17, of Dorchester was one of 30 students nationwide that participated in a training in Washington D.C., sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
Currently a student at the Boston Trinity Academy, Jones said in a statement that seeing her grandmother struggle with tobacco was the push she needed to get involved.
“My grandmother’s battle with tobacco has been my motivation to push and fight for the lives of those who are under the influence of ‘Big Tobacco’,” she said.
The youth met with Congress and Federal Food and Drug Administration staff and encouraged them to support tougher legislation on tobacco products and tobacco companies’ ability to market them.
Matthew L. Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, said in a statement that he believes the youth sent a strong message to the legislatures.
“Youth are powerful voices in the fight against tobacco, and they are sending two clear messages: They want the tobacco companies to stop targeting them, and they want elected leaders to protect them from tobacco,” said Myers.
---
Email Patrick D. Rosso, patrick.d.rosso@gmail.com. Follow him @PDRosso, or friend him on Facebook.
Dorchester REAL ESTATE
340Homes
for sale144
Rentals available24
Open houses this week3
New listings this week
Waiting for Twitter to feed in the latest...