It’s World Day Against Child Labor. When we think of child labor today, we often think of children toiling away in fields and factories abroad. But 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 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

It’s World Day Against Child Labor, and 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.


What is the Children Don’t Belong on Tobacco Farms Act? Learn more from @Campaign4Kids: http://bit.ly/1djRsPc
Tweet this now.

Tweet the author: @danielsmadeline


Want to learn more? First Focus Campaign for Children is a bipartisan advocacy organization advocating to making children and families the priority in federal policy and budget decisions. Read more about our work on child rights.

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