Hawaii’s young people joined a national campaign against flavored tobacco Wednesday, marching from Aloha Tower to the state Capitol to take their message to lawmakers.

The annual “Kick Butts Day” encourages youth to take a stand again the tobacco industry. This year, the focus was on electronic smoking devices like Juul pods. Dozens of middle and high school students from across the state sported bright pink shirts while they showed their support for Senate Bill 1009, which would ban the sale of flavored tobacco products, except menthol or mentholated flavors, in Hawaii.

The measure, which crossed over to the House earlier this month, was passed with amendments by a joint hearing of the House Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee and the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. The House Finance Committee will hear it next. A date has yet to be scheduled for that hearing.

If SB 1009 becomes law, it would make Hawaii the first state to ban flavored tobacco.

This isn’t the first time Hawaii was the first in the nation to increase restrictions on tobacco. In 2016, Hawaii became the first state to raise the minimum legal age to purchase tobacco products to 21 from 18.

“For the kids it’s more important because they’re spending a day out of their spring break to come and advocate and let lawmakers know how important this issue is to them,” said Trish La Chica, policy and advocacy director for the Hawaii Public Health Institute, which organized the rally.

First lady Dawn Ige presented a proclamation on behalf of Gov. David Ige declaring March 20 “Kick Butts Day” in Hawaii.

“The voices of the youth (are) so critical in really making things happen because they’re sharing what’s important to them and what they would like to see their Hawaii become,” she told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

One Mililani Middle School student said she knows of an 8-year-old who was peer-­pressured into trying a flavored tobacco product.

“Underage smoking is a big thing in Hawaii,” said Shelby Seu, 12.”A day like today is very important because it’s a day we can gather and show the community that we’re in it to win it and we’re here to make a difference.”

Lt. Gov. Josh Green, Sens. Karl Rhoads, Rosalyn Baker and Kurt Fevella, and Rep. Aaron Ling Johanson joined the sign-waving to show their support.

“Flavored tobacco targets our youth and has no place in our state,” Green said to those gathered.

Rhoads said the emphasis on the dangers of cigarettes is not overblown.

“A lot of things in life get over-hyped. … That is not cigarettes,” Rhoads said. “Cigarettes are every bit as bad as the hype and more. You can’t say enough bad things about cigarettes.”