BOSTON - More than 200 teenagers descended on the State House to make their voices heard on the dangers of the tobacco industry. 

Youth advocates lobbied against tobacco use, but more importantly, the impact the tobacco industry has on their peers. 

It’s called "Kick Butts Day," a play on words to help kick the habit of cigarette smoking. For these kids, it’s so much more. With the popularity of vaping, and other smoke free tobacco products like nicotine pouches becoming more and more visible in media, these young people talked to their legislators about what they’re seeing and feeling in the hopes of making a change. 

"We're all here because we all have that common goal of standing up towards the tobacco and vaping companies," said Yvangi Jacques, a member of the Statewide Leadership Team for the 84 Movement. "What they're doing is wrong and the way that they market to us. We're kind of one of the primary targets of their marketing."

According to the 84 Movement, the group hosting the event, the current percentage of youth using e-cigarettes is 17.6%, a much larger number than the 3% who use cigarettes. 

The group is hoping that they can make a change in how much exposure their classmates are getting to tobacco and nicotine products in the hopes that it becomes less appealing for them to try.