YOUTH COUNCIL.

Peer-to-peer education and activism.

March Against Menthol

Sunday March 7, 1:30PM

Learn More and Submit Testimony View More Photos from the March

Youth Council.

One of the most effective ways of reducing teen smoking and vaping is changing the norm among youth through peer-to-peer outreach. At Coalition for Tobacco-Free Hawai‘i (CTFH), we’re working with youth advocates to reframe tobacco use as the “uncool” exception, not the rule. Not only do we work with dedicated young people through our Youth Council to lead peer-to-peer presentations in their community and organize awareness events, we also fight for policy change at the local and state level.

By joining the Youth Council, you can be one of many young leaders in middle school, high school, and college who are ready to FIGHT back against Big Tobacco. Protecting youth and young adults from tobacco marketing, initiation, and use is critically important and who better to lead this effort than those most affected: our students! Create new goals, strategies, and help change public policy with the support of other Youth Council members, CTFH, and Hawai‘i Public Health Institute staff. The Youth Council is statewide with students representing six islands. Each member serves a one-year repeatable term representing their school and community. Be part of the change!

APPLY TO JOIN THE YOUTH COUNCIL!

To be eligible you must be a student in middle, high school or college. Applications are accepted year-round.

Expectations:

Participate in Our Youth-Led Statewide Events
Join our events starting in summer, see below for details!
Complete Taking Down Tobacco Curriculum
Complete the short online course.
Deliver a peer-to-peer presentation
Either as an individual or as part of a team (and with our support).
Be Visible
Help organize or participate in an awareness event at your school or in your community.

Benefits:

Be Part of Something Big!
Be part of a statewide movement that passed the first tobacco 21 law in the country and made all vehicles smoke-free, with minors present, in all counties.
Make New Connections and Meet Allies
Meet and collaborate with students and public health experts from across the state.
Represent Your School
Represent your school and community in meetings with community leaders and elected officials.
Enhance your resume and college applications
Develop new skills that will make you stand out in college and job applications.

CLICK TO APPLY

Youth Council Events.

Policy Priority Selection for 2022

Policy Priority Selection for 2022, Tuesday June 15, 2021, 7:15- 8:45 PM

Be part of the discussion and selection of the policy priority for the next legislative session. Receive a refresher from Youth Council members on the 2021 policy priority, and a recap of the 2021 bills. We will be breaking into small discussion groups and then selecting the 2022 policy to work on.

What students say:

“My favorite part of the day was figuring out which policy we want to focus on and learning about how this policy has been successful in other places in the U.S.”

“This is student voice driven, adult facilitated, youth are making a difference in Hawaiʻi and it is making news on the mainland.”

“I liked making friends that want to better society.”

Quotes were submitted anonymously on a feedback survey.

CLICK TO APPLY TO THE YOUTH COUNCIL

Take Down Tobacco Peer-to-Peer Training 2021

Take Down Tobacco Peer-to-Peer Training, Tuesday July 20, 2021, 7:15 – 9:15 PM

Join us for some fun activities to get to know one another, hear what other students have done for peer-to-peer presentations and practice delivering a presentation yourself!
Prerequisite: Complete the Take Down Tobacco 101 online training.

My favorite part of the training was:

“Practicing the taking down tobacco presentation because it helped us learn it better.”

“I really like working in small groups and getting a chance to work on our presentation skills.”

“Making friends that want to better society.”

Quotes were submitted anonymously on a feedback survey.

CLICK TO APPLY TO THE YOUTH COUNCIL

Awareness Building Workshop 2021

Awareness Building Workshop, Saturday August 21, 2021, 9:00-11:00 AM

For this hands-on opportunity, we will be breaking into small groups to brainstorm ideas on raising awareness and forming youth-led workgroups to develop awareness activities throughout the year. Recommended: Completion of the Awareness Building module in Take Down Tobacco online training.

My favorite part of the day:

“The whole day was fun and focused. My favorite part was the integration of islands because I got to know the other high school students.”

“Both the activity and being able to work with a group on strategies for our own island.”

“Participating in the small group key message sharing.”

Quotes were submitted anonymously on a feedback survey.

CLICK TO APPLY TO THE YOUTH COUNCIL

December Social 2021

Legislative Workshop 2022

Legislative Workshop, Saturday January 8, 2022, 9:00 AM – Noon

Hear from a panel of state lawmakers about the importance of the youth voice in the legislative process and learn more about the Youth Council’s Policy Priority for the 2021 legislative session. You will also craft your own testimony in support of the bill(s).
Recommended: Completion of Messaging Matters In Person Event

CLICK TO APPLY TO THE YOUTH COUNCIL

Take Down Tobacco Day 2022

Take Down Tobacco Day at the Capitol – Wednesday March 16, 2022

We hope to be able to have this event again in 2022. This day-long event includes learning more about the legislative process, raising awareness about the Youth Council’s policy priority and meeting with lawmakers to advocate for the Youth Council’s policy priority.

What was the most valuable thing you learned at Take Down Tobacco Day? (formerly known as Kick Butts Day):

“We can make a difference.”

“How long a process it is for a bill to become a law.”

“How to speak to legislators and that they want to hear from us.”

Quotes were submitted anonymously on a feedback survey.

See Kick Butts Day 2019 photos.

CLICK TO APPLY TO THE YOUTH COUNCIL

Ready to jump in? Have questions?

OUR YOUTH COORDINATOR WILL GET BACK TO YOU AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.