Ninety percent of adult smokers begin this deadly addiction as teenagers or earlier. As a result, youth are critical and powerful voices in the fight against tobacco. They encourage their peers to be tobacco-free, stand up to the tobacco industry and its deceptive marketing, and urge elected leaders to take action. Through our Youth Initiatives, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids fosters young leaders who are striving to make the next generation tobacco-free.
The Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action is a day of activism where communities across the globe rally to push for the first tobacco-free generation. Youth e-cigarette use remains a serious public health concern, and tobacco is still the No. 1 cause of death in the U.S. and across the globe. On this day, each year, students, teachers, parents, elected leaders, health professionals, advocates and concerned citizens just like you are standing up to Take Down Tobacco.
Taking Down Tobacco is our comprehensive youth advocacy training program created in partnership with the CVS Health Foundation. The program educates, empowers and engages youth through online and in-person trainings. It engages new youth in the fight against tobacco and provides in-depth training to help young leaders take their advocacy to the next level.
The Youth Engagement Alliance (YEA) for Tobacco Control provides technical assistance and support to adult coordinators who work with youth across the U.S. YEA’s mission is to cultivate and advance strategies for youth engagement and advocacy in tobacco control by providing support, networking, training and resources for those working with youth.
The Young Ambassadors for Tobacco Control program, launched in 2022 by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, is ensuring the long-term sustainability of the tobacco control movement by building the next generation of champions. Young ambassadors mobilized through the program are holding the tobacco industry accountable and fighting for a healthier world through networks in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America, united and coordinated by a global secretariat.
Our National Youth Ambassadors are high school students who have demonstrated leadership in fighting tobacco in their communities. These advocates are chosen annually as representatives of their state through a competitive application process. They receive training at a week-long Youth Advocacy Symposium in Washington, D.C., and participate in activities throughout the year.
Each year, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids honors outstanding youth advocates who are leading the way to the first tobacco-free generation. We recognize one national winner, four regional winners and one group winner at a gala in Washington, D.C. These young leaders educate their peers about tobacco use and advocate for proven solutions to fight tobacco use at the local, state and national levels. Honorees receive scholarships and grants to continue their advocacy and become part of the National Youth Ambassadors program.