Did you know child labor is alive and well in our country? We know it’s hard to believe, but over 500,000 children and teenagers work in agriculture, one of the most dangerous work industries in America.

And it gets worse. According to a recent Human Rights Watch report, children as young as 7 are working in U.S. tobacco fields, and children as young as 11 and 12 are working 10-12 hour work days. These children can’t buy cigarettes, yet a majority of child tobacco workers report signs of acute nicotine poisoning: vomiting, nausea, headaches, and dizziness.

Tobacco Child Labor 1916

Will you join First Focus Campaign for Children in calling on Congress to end U.S. tobacco child labor once and for all? The Children Don’t Belong on Tobacco Farms Act, introduced by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) prohibits work by children in tobacco-related agriculture. This bill will help ensure the safety, health, and overall well-being of child laborers who are currently being exposed to the dangers of working in tobacco fields.

Act Now

Our tobacco child laborers need you to take action today. It’s easy, it doesn’t take long, and there’s even some suggested text to get you started.


Learn how you can help end U.S. tobacco child labor: bit.ly/1QPL1Ce via @Campaign4Kids pic.twitter.com/tX653RbNsw
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Want to learn more? First Focus Campaign for Children is a bipartisan advocacy organization advocating to make children and families the priority in federal policy and budget decisions. Learn more about our work on child rights.

Want to get involved? You can support our work on child care by making a donation, joining our mailing list to receive updates and action alerts on these issues, or taking action right now by asking your Congressional representatives to co-sponsor the Children Don’t Belong on Tobacco Farms Act.