Happy Friday everyone! Did anyone watch the Democratic Presidential Debates last night? I didn’t watch the entire thing (because I get worked up and need to practice some self-care), so make sure you join me in staying in the know by reading this recap piece.
Meanwhile, this edition of The Breakdown is jam-packed with people speaking up and taking action, so scroll down for the latest on e-cigs, the debt crisis, and which musical artist you all need to start listening to.
- Anthony, DoSomething
Smoke Out? Trump Administration Readying A Ban On Flavored E-Cigs Following the news that six people have died from vaping-related lung disease and hundreds more have become ill, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that the FDA is readying a ban on flavored e-cigarettes.
“We will not stand idly by as these products become an on-ramp to combustible cigarettes or nicotine addiction for a generation of youth,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar.
The news is especially encouraging in light of the fact that 81% of young people who have ever used e-cigs started with flavors. Currently, the FDA is finalizing its guidance to remove all non-tobacco flavors of e-cigarettes from the market within 30 days. Meanwhile, teens are taking action by sharing their vape injury stories to help others quit, with others going as far as drenching their vapes in water.
Take Action: Read and share a guide to help friends quit vaping.
Debt Out: Hasan Minhaj Slams Congress For Inaction On Student Debt Crisis After focusing on student loan debt during his show earlier this year, Patriot Act host Hasan Minhaj was invited to testify in Congress about the impact of the student debt crisis.
Though Minhaj brought his usual comedic spin to his testimony on Tuesday, he also managed to drop the mic multiple times, at one point stating, “I think it's a huge problem that the youth of America have to bombard their favorite rapper or pop musician and ask them to pay back their student loans” (like T. Swift recently did with a fan).
Backing up Minhaj’s point is the fact that 80% of working professionals with student loan debt have said it is a source of “significant” stress. Currently, the total student debt in the US totals $1.7 trillion(!!!) and counting.
Take Action: Anonymously share your thoughts on student debt. While Minhaj and others advocate to Congress, you can compel another group to address the crisis: employers.
Good Company: 145 CEOs Demand Action On Gun Violence In Open Letter Yesterday morning, the heads of 145 major companies sent a letter to the US Senate demanding that they address the gun violence crisis. Signed by companies such as Levi’s, Reddit, and Twitter, the letter states that “doing nothing about America’s gun violence crisis is simply unacceptable and it is time to stand with the American public on gun safety.”
Specifically, it urges the Senate to pass an expansion of background checks to all firearms sales and stronger “red flag” laws. Both of which are currently being considered by the House of Representatives.
After deadly mass shootings in Dayton and El Paso earlier last month, the movement for stronger gun control laws has gained momentum. Just last week, Wal-Mart decided to stop selling handgun ammunition and asked customers not to bring guns into their stores.
Take Action: Email your representative and urge them to support background checks on all gun sales.
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