By Molly Seales

On Thursday, February 24, Laura Seabaugh, a spokesperson for the Louisiana Attorney General’s office, visited Riverdale Academy to address students about the dangers of tobacco use. Students in grades 7-12 gathered in the cafeteria for an oral and visual presentation about the dangers of tobacco in all forms: cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco.

Students interacted with Ms. Seabaugh in a series of multiple-choice questions about tobacco use. Some interesting facts were there are over 7,000 chemicals in a cigarette, 1 in 5 high school students use e-cigarettes, people are now lacing the oil for vapes with CBD oil in addition to nicotine, and one Juul pod is the equivalent of a pack of cigarettes.

Images and videos were shown of damage done by nicotine, and students were informed about how addicting nicotine can be from the first time you try it. Ms. Seabaugh strongly encouraged students who have never tried a tobacco/nicotine product to never try one, and she strongly encouraged any students who currently smoke, dip, or vape to consider quitting. She told students who were already in the nicotine trap to talk to a trusted adult who will be willing to help them break the addiction.

This was an awesome program, and hopefully students nationwide will have the opportunity to hear a program like this. We would like to give a special thank you to Attorney General Jeff Landry’s office and to Ms. Seabaugh for taking the time to come address our student body.

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