We can be the generation that puts an end to one of the nastiest habits known to man -- smoking. 

It is not new information that tobacco is bad for you, even all the way back in 1604, King James said that he opposed tobacco because it “polluted man’s inward parts.” So, here we are all the way in 2014, and people still don’t fully comprehend all of the ill effects of tobacco. 

In high school, I worked with an organization called Students Working Against Tobacco, otherwise known as SWAT, whose mission was to educate people about the manipulative tactics of the big tobacco industry, such as their usage of bright colors and candy flavorings to hook newer generations of smokers. During my four years working with SWAT, I worked with different legislators trying to get laws passed that restricted the sale of candy flavored tobacco products, because such products were marketed to draw the attention of children between the ages of 11 and 14. This is is when I discovered the truly disgusting tactics that these companies use to hook children! That's why I think that it is phenomenal that CVS is now tobacco free. 

It seems counterintuitive for a place that sells medicine also promotes products, like tobacco, which lead to so many serious diseases. CVS has taken a much needed step in the right direction. By making this move, they are promoting a healthier lifestyle that is smoke free.     

The amount that gets spent on health care expenditures caused by smoking is $132.5 billion. Imagine what could be done  with that money. 

If you watch MTV, then I am sure that you have seen the Truth Campaign ads that air regularly on the network. According to the Truth Campaign, now only nine percent of teens smoke, which is a dramatic decrease from the 23% just 14 years ago. Our generation can be the one to finally put an end to tobacco smoking. How crazy is that? Could you even imagine a day when no one smokes tobacco anymore? It would truly be one step closer to a beautiful future. They call their campaign #FinishIt, which I think is perfect. Their website provides cessation information to those who want to quit, as well as information for people to share with others about the dangers of smoking tobacco. I particularly like their strategy because it isn't about shaming the smoker; their program is education based so that people can learn the facts and get the resources they need to start living a healthier life.

Realistically, I know that CVS ceasing to  sell tobacco doesn’t mean that everyone will just give up buying the product. My point is that it’s a step in the right direction. It’s a step towards a healthier future for our country. If other companies could be so bold to make the same decision, we might see the end of tobacco in our lifetime.