Youth who use tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes, risk dying early.

Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department will offer a free Youth Tobacco Prevention Workshop July 29, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., at Tacoma Metro Parks’ STAR Center, 3873 S. 66th St. Youth ages 12-18 can learn more about how smoking and vaping can make their lives worse.

According to the State Department of Health, one in three youth smokers will die prematurely from a smoking-caused disease. And four out of five adult smokers started before they turned 18 years old, which can lead to negative health consequences.

“Young people who smoke run the risk of poor health and low academic performance,” said Miae Aramori, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Tobacco program manager. “Through the workshop, we want to give them the tools to say, ‘I have value and I don’t need a cigarette or any other type of tobacco to be the best version of myself,'” Aramori said.

At the interactive workshop, young people will have the chance to engage with positive role models about the effects tobacco use can have on their long-term health.

The workshop is free and includes breakfast and lunch. Registration is required.