Hi John, 

I’m Josie Shapiro, a National Youth Ambassador for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

My journey to becoming an advocate working to protect my peers from tobacco and nicotine addiction started at age 14. That’s when I tried my first “blueberry ice” flavored e-cigarette. Soon, I was vaping daily – even hourly. My friends and I hid our vapes in our socks and bras, sneaking puffs in school bathrooms and during lunch. Vaping took over my life, affecting my mood and my concentration.  

Even today, as a freshman in college, I still struggle with the addiction that first gripped me as a 9th grader. But I’ve learned more about how the tobacco industry uses marketing tactics like fun flavors and colorful packaging to attract kids.

With the help of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, I’ve raised my voice to speak out. Earlier this year, I testified before the U.S. Senate about how I’m a real-life example among millions of young people who are targeted and addicted by the tobacco industry.

Testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee, June 2024.

Senator Durbin and me.

Working with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids has given me the opportunity to share my story with the world. I’ve urged policymakers at the highest levels to take action to eliminate flavored e-cigarettes, spoken out in the media about my experience with vaping, and worked alongside other youth to raise awareness and educate our communities. 

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids works to empower a new generation of leaders fighting for change in countries and communities all over the world. Your support is an investment in advocates like Josie.

I never thought I’d be addicted to nicotine. I know too well the stress and social pressure that spur teens to become addicted to e-cigarettes. That’s why I am sharing my story and doing everything I can to protect my generation from these harmful products.

Thank you for supporting me in this journey. Together, we can prevent other young people from falling into the same tobacco-industry trap I did.

– Josie

P.S. – Watch and share this video of me at the Supreme Court earlier this month! I joined Tobacco-Free Kids' legal team and other youth ambassadors to explain why the Court must uphold FDA's authority to stop flavored e-cigarettes that are hooking kids.

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