This petition is to raise awareness in our nations youth....particuliarly in the punk rock community about the dangers and statistics concerning tattooing and extreme piercing and it's associated risks which some but not all are aware of.

Hepatitis is currently a worldwide epidemic infecting over 2 billion of people.....tattooing is cited as a significant source of infection.

The punk rock community, bands and associated "performers" and those who are simply involved in this lifestyle should take on the responsibility of raising awareness of the dangers of sharing tattooing needles, drug needles and sex among those who tattoo and pierce excessively.

To not do this is to not love the music, culture and lives of the people involved.

Although tattoo shops often require the use of new needles for tattooing many customers do not realize that the ink wells are a significant source of infection from blood spattering and often these are re-used.

Hepatitis is also sexually transmitted.

The numbers for hepatitis B in the U.S. are quite high and worldwide these statistics are even higher.

Approximately 2 billion people worldwide are infected with hepatitis B (1 out of 3 people) 12 million in the U.S.

400 million are chronically infected.

10-30 million will become infected each year.

Estimated 1 million people a year die from hepatitis B and it's complications.

HEPATITIS B IN THE UNITED STATES:

12 million Americans have been infected (1 out of 20 people).

More than 1 million are chronically infected.

Up to 100,000 new people will become infected each year.

5000 people each year will die from hepatitis and it's complications.

Approximately 1 health care worker dies each day from hepatitis B.
 
Outside of the U.S. tattoo shops are often loosely regulated increasing the risk of infections.

This petition calls on all those who love punk rock music, as I do, and those involved in the punk rock community to organize awareness campaigns and shows to "rock against hepatitis/HIV" and speak out at shows to communicate the dangers of tattooing and extreme piercing.

Although this may seem to go against the "spirit" of punk rock it doesn't need to be this way.....the American punk rock community is a treasure trove of creativity/culture/musical genius and innovation so let's keep punk healthy and alive in the U.S. and destroy hepatitis/AIDS by raising awareness.

We the undersigned agree with the sentiments of this author.