Program Components: Youth Initiatives

TFL is working with Louisiana youth to take down the influence of the tobacco industry. Though it is illegal for the tobacco advertising to target kids directly, the tobacco industry spends $291.5 million to market its deadly products in Louisiana, exposing kids to a bombardment of point of purchase and convenience store advertisements. The DEFY campaign was created to empower kids to advocate for stricter regulations of tobacco advertising and an increase in the tax on tobacco products. DEFY is Louisianas youth empowerment movement against tobacco industry manipulation. It is powerful because it educates Louisiana youth about the dangers of tobacco and the tobacco industrys role in youth initiation, and mobilizes these youth to create environments supportive of tobacco-free lifestyles.

For more information on the DEFY campaign, and for information on how you can be part of this important youth movement, please visit www.DefyTheLies.com

TFL also partners with Louisiana Youth Prevention Services (LYPS) to conduct an annual Louisiana Youth Summit on Tobacco, a training that prepares youth participants to work on environmental change and advocacy through working with the legislature with the primary focus on tobacco prevention. This four-day intensive workshop addresses youth tobacco prevention and control issues. Through nationally recognized speakers and presenters, panel discussions with policy professionals, and advocacy and prevention training, student delegates create Louisiana-specific policy recommendations for reducing tobaccos toll on our state.

These facilitated sessions allow student participants to express their own ideas about the tobacco industry, its marketing tactics towards youth, and tobacco marketing policy. Upon completing the summit activities, the students have an opportunity to meet with legislators from their respective districts to talk about the tobacco industry and the policy recommendations that they crafted during the summit.

If you would like to be involved in the DEFY movement, or would like more information on how to participate in the Louisiana Youth Summit, please contact April Cabrera.

Read more facts about Youth and Tobacco.