During the Bright Futures program at James Simmons Montessori School, local students, and families received more than 500 free backpacks equipped with school supplies and vape-free resources. The program was created to comprehensively educate students and families about the importance of lung health, specifically the dangers associated with youth vapes, while also addressing the financial barriers associated with the rising cost of starting school.
Distribute 500 vape free resource backpacks
Abc News reported on August 4th. CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) – The American Lung Association, comprised of the James Simons Montessori School, at the Bright Futures event. Local students and families received over 500 free backpacks, with school supplies and vape-free resources.
We developed the Bright Futures Backpack program to address two major needs of families in our community: to combat the rising cost of schooling and to protect children from vapes,” said Margaret Ann Yancey, Director of Development for the South Carolina Lung Association. “(Margaret Ann Youngs) said in a statement. “Vape consumption among teens has become an epidemic, driven by flavors like cotton candy, stress, fear, and curiosity, and possibly because those around them are using e-cigarettes. Studies have found that teens who use e-cigarettes are more likely to try tobacco and more likely to be addicted to tar.”
Bright Future Backpack
According to the organization’s research, more than 13,000 children in South Carolina have been diagnosed with asthma, which is the leading cause of school absences. Medical professionals provide lung health and asthma resources to educate and empower families.
- Yancey added, “With this move, we’re giving kids and their families the tools to help prevent smoking so they can keep their lungs healthy.”.
The “Bright Futures Backpack” was developed and launched in Charleston in 2023. The program is designed to comprehensively educate students and families about the importance of lung health, specifically the dangers associated with youth vapes, and to address the financial barriers associated with the rising cost of starting school. Last year, the Lung Association and partners distributed 250 backpacks.
