Educators and Youth Leaders
“Students need to be sitting at the table because they have valuable insights that need to be
heard. Doesn’t it make sense
for us to have a stand when there is an issue that directly involves us?"
Ben Smilowitz, high school student.
ADVOCACY ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH
Preventing tobacco use among youth can only happen when teens themselves feel empowered to make changes. Across North Carolina,
youth are gaining the skills needed to advocate for tobacco free policies and reduce teen tobacco use. To learn more, go to
www.realityunfiltered.com.
| Suggested Advocacy Activities for Local Youth. |
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Store Alert: Teach youth how to collect data about tobacco marketing in their neighborhoods.
Visit www.storealert.org |
|
Kick Butts Day: Help teens organize education or advocacy activities during National Kick Butts Day.
Normally held in April, Kick Butts Day helps local youth groups to gain media attention while spreading
the message about the dangers of tobacco. For a list of activity ideas, go to www.kickbuttsday.org |
|
Great American Smokeout: The American Cancer Society celebrates the Great American Smokeout
each November. Those who smoke can smoke less or quit for the day. The event raises awareness of the many
effective ways to quit for good. View a list of
activities teens can implement locally. To find out about local efforts, contact the County’s Youth
Tobacco Prevention Coordinator at 336-703-3147, or your local American Cancer Society at (336) 834-0844. |
|
Advocate for Smoke Free Policies: Teens can influence community decision makers. Is there a park in the
neighborhood that teens would like to see go smoke-free? How about a favorite restaurant, or the local library? For tips on
how to help teens plan a strategy for getting a tobacco-free policy passed, contact the County's Youth Tobacco Prevention
Coordinator, 336-703-3147. For school policy and tobacco-free school enforcement ideas, go to:
www.nctobaccofreeschools.com. |
| RESOURCES |
 |
Youth Advisory Council. Teen Advocacy Group in Forsyth County whose mission is to reduce teen smoking
and help those who smoke quit.
Contact: Lynne Mitchell by email or 336-703-3260 |
|
Youth Tobacco Prevention Program. A resource for information on teen tobacco prevention
programming and advocacy. Forsyth County Department of Public Health.
Contact: Lynne Mitchell by email or 336-703-3260 |
