The next time you visit your child’s or grandchild’s school — whether they are in elementary, middle or high school — look around when you’re in their classroom.

Two or three of the kids in that classroom will die prematurely from a smoking-related illness if smoking continues at its current rate among young Americans, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates.

The effects of the scourge of tobacco use cannot be understated, according to the CDC:

• Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States.
• Cigarette smoking is responsible for more than 480,000 deaths per year in the United States, including more than 41,000 deaths resulting from secondhand smoke exposure.
• On average, smokers die 10 years earlier than nonsmokers.
• Every day, more than 3,200 people younger than 18 years of age smoke their first cigarette.

Every day, an estimated 2,100 youth and young adults who have been occasional smokers become daily smokers.

These facts and more shine a glaring light on the importance of keeping young people from becoming smokers. That’s why the Y Street program run by the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth is so important.

Y Street is the foundation’s high school volunteer program. In addition to other initiatives, like encouraging healthy eating, the program urges tobacco-free schools.

Student volunteers in Lakeland and Nansemond River High Schools held tobacco-free spirit day on Wednesday, pumping up their fellow students who have pledged to be tobacco-free in and out of school.

“I have a lot of people in my family who smoke, and you can see the effects it has,” said Dorean Seaborn, a Lakeland student. “I want to do it so people see you don’t have to smoke to be cool, and you can also be healthy. We’re the younger generation, so we have to be role models to everyone.”

Wise words from a teenager who recognizes the importance of being tobacco-free. Thankfully, the Suffolk School Board has recognized that, as well, having implemented a stringent policy against the use of tobacco and e-cigarettes at school and school-sponsored events last year at the urging of Y Street student volunteers.

Thanks to the School Board, the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth and the Y Street student volunteers for pushing this very important issue to the forefront in school.