The seven youth groups were recipients of $1000 grants for original projects to raise awareness in their communities about the dangers of tobacco and then to link those projects to an advocacy effort at state and local levels to support improved tobacco policies.

The Challenge Grant is a new program implemented by ALA in Idaho to encourage teens to become advocates in the effort to counter the tobacco industry’s targeting of young people, and to reinforce teens’ decisions to stay tobacco free.

January’s workshop included a brainstorming session on their projects and ideas ranged from hosting a community dinner with guest speakers to producing anti-tobacco public service announcements. A poster contest to name this new movement was won by the Meridian Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council group with “Support Teens Against Nicotine Dependency” (STAND).

The teens also received hands-on training on how to effectively communicate with decision makers and how to engage the media.

Idaho Youth Fighting Tobacco Challenge Grant recipients will undertake the two-part challenge through the spring with ongoing assistance and support from the ALA in Idaho.

“ALA in Idaho looks forward to building youth anti-tobacco advocacy statewide in future years as teen leaders take a STAND against big tobacco” says Jan Flynn, tobacco control manager.

The Challenge Grant is made possible by dollars received from Idaho’s tobacco settlement dollars through the Millennium Fund Committee.