My name is Trinidee and I go to Poplar Bluff High School. I recently hosted a Show Me Smokefree table at the Iron Horse Festival, a community event with music, food, art, and other activities in Downtown Poplar Bluff. It was my first time going, and it was pretty fun—especially talking with people who were funny and kind. During the event, I collected Show Me Smokefree opinion surveys and spoke with people about their thoughts on secondhand smoke. Some shared stories about wanting a family member to stop smoking because it was hurting their health. Others talked about their own struggles to quit smoking. I didn’t expect so many people to open up about their personal lives. Some said they were trying to quit, so I gave them information cards and invited them to fill out a survey if they were interested.
For those that don’t know, Show Me Smokefree is a community program that teaches people about the dangers of secondhand smoke and vapor. Protecting our community from these harmful substances is very important, especially for young people. Secondhand smoke can cause lung cancer, heart disease, eye problems, and other serious health issues. As a campaign, we also give out information about how to quit smoking, which makes the air healthier for everyone. Cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and other tobacco products are very addictive, and they affect more than just the person who smokes. This is why programs like Show Me Smokefree are so important.
Overall, I enjoyed the experience. It taught me a lot about how smoking affects people and how secondhand smoke impacts others around them. Many people said it was frustrating when a loved one wouldn’t quit, even though they knew it was hurting everyone nearby. At school, I know students don’t always like to listen to teachers or follow rules, so it can be hard to get them to care about things like secondhand smoke. But I think if they came to events like this, they could learn why protecting everyone from smoke is so important.
