1998 Award Winners National Winner East Mid-West Central South West Group Award

Gretchen Sneegas, an 11-year-old 6th grader from Indianapolis, Indiana, is the Midwest Region Winner of the CAMPAIGN FOR TOBACCO-FREE KIDS’ 1998 Youth Advocates of the Year Awards. The nationwide competition recognizes outstanding youth advocacy efforts by young tobacco control activists. Gretchen received her title in Washington, DC on April 30, 1998.

Gretchen has lobbied legislators at the Indiana state capitol for a ban on cigarette vending machines. To make her point, she conducted research and provided photographic evidence of machines in violation of Indiana’s law requiring that all cigarette vending machines be located in places accessible only to adults. She organized a protest when the state Legislature overrode former Gov. Evan Bayh’s veto of a bill that prevented local governments from restricting the sale of tobacco products. She has mobilized her peers to sign pledges to remain smoke-free, passed out anti-tobacco literature at "World No Tobacco Day,"and spends much of her time educating her peers on the dangers of smoking while encouraging them to become tobacco control youth advocates.

The young activist takes her tobacco-free message wherever she goes. When stopping by a local restaurant, she noted on a customer comment card that she would like the restaurant to adapt a smoke-free policy. Restaurant management recently wrote to Gretchen to let her know that the policy is now under consideration, thanks to her efforts.