Boise, Idaho—Idaho student advocates, with the support of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), have organized a virtual day at the capitol with Senate legislative leadership to discuss the youth epidemic, tobacco control policy, and health issues facing them and their peers today. The event will be livestreamed via Facebook live where high school students around the state will be able to ask questions of the youth and lawmaker panelists present in the room. High school and college students from around the state formed the Idaho Youth Health Advisory Council in recent months to be a leading voice on health concerns facing their generation.
DATE: Thursday, March 12
TIME: 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. - Students available for interviews in the Senate Majority Caucus Room
(please contact Jenna Sheldon at 952-412-8292)
9:00 – 9:45 a.m. (Facebook Livestream with Youth and Lawmakers)
LOCATION: Idaho State Capitol – 4th Floor Senate Majority Caucus Room
The tobacco industry continues to entice our youth to begin using tobacco products with catchy marketing and kid-friendly flavors. The youth epidemic of tobacco use is sweeping the state of Idaho, with 14.3% of high schoolers reporting using e-cigarettes and skyrocketing projections that about 500 Idaho youth under the age of 18 will become new daily smokers each year.
The youth panelists are taking charge of their own health and calling on lawmakers to prioritize them as well.
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