Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

John,

We hope you'll join us on May 18th for Catalysts for Change [[link removed]], the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids' 2023 Youth Advocates of the Year Awards.

RSVP NOW >> [[link removed]]

Today, we're thrilled to announce four of our Youth Advocates of the Year, whose passion and leadership will help make the next generation tobacco-free:

Lilith Breazeale – Adair, Oklahoma • Age 17

When the kids she used to play tag with started becoming addicted to e-cigarettes and other tobacco products, Lilith Breazeale knew she had to do something. Pretty soon, she learned about Oklahoma’s preemption law, which prohibits local communities from passing tobacco prevention policies. So she collected data to show strong support for repealing the preemption law and allowing communities to protect kids and residents from tobacco. In March 2023, she brought these findings to the state Capitol, meeting with legislators and building support for empowering communities to reduce tobacco use. She continues her advocacy through awareness events and creative use of social media.

Lauren To – Las Cruces, New Mexico • Age 16

On her first day of high school, Lauren To was late because a student was smoking on her school bus. This experience became all too common, as she continued to see many of her peers smoking and using e-cigarettes. Lauren refused to accept this reality and began leading discussions with the principal to implement a comprehensive tobacco-free school policy. Encouraged by that success, she helped build support for a district-wide policy, which the school board eventually adopted. Turning her focus statewide, Lauren got involved in the successful campaigns to raise the tobacco age to 21 and require tobacco retailers to have a license. Now, she's actively engaging New Mexico legislators to build support for ending flavored tobacco sales and raising the state tobacco tax.

J.R. Ash – Huntington, West Virginia • Age 16

West Virginia has the highest rate of tobacco use in the U.S. – but J.R. Ash refuses to accept the status quo. After watching his father struggle with smoking-related throat cancer, J.R. became an advocate. He's worked with many West Virginia lawmakers, pushing to increase funding for tobacco prevention and cessation programs and opposing a law that would reverse decades of work done by local tobacco control advocates. He's also met with his school board to push for non-punitive tobacco use policies that focus on cessation and support. And he's worked with the American Heart Association on radio public service announcements about the impact of tobacco use on teens.

Miah Chao – Benicia, California • Age 17

When she got to high school, Miah Chao was outraged when she saw how the tobacco industry used candy-flavored e-cigarettes to lure her peers into addiction. In her hometown, she successfully campaigned for an ordinance that required tobacco retailer licenses and regulated how and where tobacco products could be sold; legislation to make multi-unit housing and public outdoor spaces smoke-free; and an alternative-to-suspension policy template for California school districts. Miah now serves on the California Youth Council, helping to organize fellow advocates. And recently, she was instrumental in rallying and organizing for the successful campaign to end the sale of flavored tobacco products in California.

All of these youth advocates will receive scholarships to continue their tobacco control efforts! They'll also serve as National Youth Ambassadors for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

On May 18, join us in honoring these incredible youth advocates and other outstanding public health champions from the United States and around the world.

Be on the lookout: We've already announced the recipient of our Judy Wilkenfeld Award for International Tobacco Control Excellence – and soon we'll announce our Barrie Fiske National Youth Advocate of the Year, Group Youth Advocates of the Year, and Champion Award recipients!

LEARN MORE >> [[link removed]]

Best wishes,

Gustavo Torrez
Director of Youth Advocacy

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Tickets [[link removed]] : Tickets to this year’s Youth Advocates of the Year Awards are $350.

More Information: For sponsorship opportunities, tickets and more information, please visit tfk.org/Awards [[link removed]] .

The Conrad Hotel [[link removed]] : 950 New York Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001. Cocktail and/or elevated business attire requested.

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Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids [[link removed]]
1400 I St NW, Ste 1200
Washington, District of Columbia xxxxxx
202-296-5469 | [email protected]

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