YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT ONLINE 31 By YM/MSgt Michaela Cantwell Emerald Coast (FL) One person dies every 6 seconds from from a tobacco related disease. 600,000 non-smokers die each year worldwide from secondhand smoke and a third of these deaths are children. Whether iin the form of smoking cigarettes, being exposed to secondhand smoke, or using smokeless tobacco products, it’s a fact that tobacco in general has negative ef- fects on everyone. We hear daily how tobacco is extremely addictive and harmful to our health and even though the majority of smokers are aware of the dangers of it, they continue to smoke and expose themselves and others to the toxic chemicals found in tobacco products. Since Tobacco use is considered permis- sible for adults, it is easily over looked as a harmful drug. Since it is legal for adults to use, some people see it is as less harmful. False thoughts such as these are why so many of our youth start smoking and using tobacco products. They think of it as a better alternative to using illegal drugs. Smoking allows them to fit in with some of their peers who smoke or abuse drugs. But In fact it’s extremely harmful,addic- tive and illegal for anyone under the age of 18. As a gateway drug, it sometimes leads to use of illegal substances. A dis- turbing number of today’s high school students and some middle schoolers use some sort of tobacco product. Secondhand tobacco smoke is extreme- ly harmful to children and adults. When I think of second hand smoke I always think about the smoke that is exhaled by the person smoking, but it also includes the smoke that burns from a cigarette, cigar, or pipe. Tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, hundreds of which are toxic and about 70 have been scientifically proven to cause cancer. Secondhand smoke has been known to cause a number of health problems in children and second hand smoke presents a health risk. Smokeless tobacco,sometimes referred to as chew or dip is another very com- monly used form of tobacco. Because it’s not inhaled many people feel as if it is safer than cigarettes but it can be ex- tremely bad for you. At least 28 carcino- gens (or cancer causing agents) have been found in smokeless tobacco. Its use can lead to cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and pancreas. As with smoking tobacco, smokeless tobacco is addictive, and some research suggests that it could even be more ad- dictive than smoking. The bottom line is that there is no safe form of tobacco.The information I’ve given here is alarming. It motivates me to do everything I can to make a difference and help to educate others, especially my peers, on the dan- gers of nicotine. Over the past several years the number of youth using tobacco has begun to decline and this gives me hope that we can change these scary statistics. Tobacco Use: A Gateway Drug That’s Not a Good Idea, In Any Form By YM/PFC Aidan Loya Eagle (CA) During summer (and in the middle of the year) is Indepen- dence Day, July 4. Before I enlisted in the Young Marines and earned the title Young Marine, our family would celebrate Independence Day by having a barbecue in the afternoon and later watch fire- works at night. This past Independence Day the Eagle (CA) Young Marines performed in United States Flag Honor detail in two city pa- rades,. on July 1st in the city of Oceanside and on July 4th in city of Coronado, CA. The day before each parade we had an Overnight Encampment. We would shine our Boots, press our Cammies, press our cover, to ensure an impeccable appear- ance.We practiced our sing song cadence.Sergeants and Staff Sergeants inspected everything to perfect.ion We were not allowed to disrespect “Old Glory”, nor did we want to! In the morning, we would move to the pa- rade starting location. We would assume our positions and unfold the large United States Flag. As the parade started we carried the flag, so that no part would touch the ground. Our senior Young Marines would conduct Sing Songs Cadence to motivate us carrying the Flag. In both parades there were thou- sands of Americans along the streets. Many people wear- ing veterans’ hats would stand up and hold their hand over their heart or hand salute as we marched past them. Law enforcement officers at intersections saluted as we marched by. Many shouted motivational praises. Some veter- ans were saluting and had tears in their eyes.I felt great pride at being honored to display our flag to all those Americans watching, especially those veterans watching the Parade. Because of those veterans and many loyal Americans we are able to enjoy Freedom and have a parade.As we finished each Independence Day Parade,we respectfully folded the flag and completed the Ceremony. As an Eagle Young Marine, I now have a completely new respect for Independence Day and our United States flag. It is not just a day for food and watching fireworks. It is our turn to show honor the Independence of the United States. Independence Day: It Means More Than Food and Fireworks