Win a trip to Portugal!

Deadline Saturday: Get your raffle tickets for a chance to win a trip for two to Cascais, Portugal!

Yet Another Way Tobacco Hurts Kids

Dan Staggs

Don't miss the special, extra-length issue of In These Times devoted entirely to the subject of socialism in America today. This special issue is available now. Order your copy today for just $5.00, shipping included.

Human Rights Watch has published a 138-page report titled Tobacco's Hidden Children, detailing the abysmal conditions that American children are experiencing on tobacco farms. The Wire reports: The report authors spoke with more than 140 children, ages 7 to 17 from May to October 2013, and learned that many display symptoms of acute nicotine poisoning, including nausea, vomiting, headaches, skin rashes, loss of appetite and others. "I would barely eat anything because I wouldn’t get hungry.  Sometimes I felt like I needed to throw up. … I felt like I was going to faint. I would stop and just hold myself up with the tobacco plant," said 13-year-old Elena. Under United States law, children as young as 12 can legally work on a tobacco farm of any size, and children under 12 are permitted to work on family farms—despite protections from child labor under the age of 14 in all other industries. The laws were scrutinized as recently as 2011, when the Department of Labor proposed changes before backing down under pressure from tobacco growers.

Win a trip for two to Cascais, Portugal!

Don't miss your chance to win! Get your raffle tickets today for Saturday's raffle, with a chance to win a vacation for two to Cascais, Portugal!

One lucky raffle winner will receive a $3,000 gift card to cover the costs of two flights, as well as a stay in a 5-star boutique hotel, housed in a 17th century fortress with medieval architecture and décor. You can schedule the trip on your timeline!

All raffle ticket sales support ongoing In These Times reporting, just like the article you just finished reading. Get your raffle tickets now.

The winner will be selected on the night of September 30, at the In These Times 47th Anniversary Celebration. You do not need to be present at the drawing to win.

Dan Staggs is an intern at In These Times.
Get 10 issues for $19.95

Subscribe to the print magazine.