Thirty four high school students from communities across Oklahoma met with state lawmakers over two days to talk about vaping and youth health. The students represented more than 1,200 Youth Action for Health Leadership members statewide.
The students are part of Youth Action for Health Leadership (YAHL), a program funded by the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust. Through CounterAct, a youth-led campaign within YAHL, students learn how public policy affects health and speak directly with lawmakers about issues that matter to young people.
During meetings at the state Capitol, students shared concerns about the rise in vaping among youth and the lack of state-level policies that address e-cigarettes. More than one in five Oklahoma youth report using some form of tobacco product, including vapes.
Students also discussed how current state law limits regulation of tobacco and vaping products. Oklahoma does not have a separate tax on e-cigarettes or a statewide license for stores that sell them. State law also limits what cities and towns can do to regulate tobacco and vaping, including rules about advertising and smoke-free indoor spaces.
Participants said meeting with lawmakers helped them better understand how decisions are made and why youth voices matter.
“It was amazing to learn about how much legislators care about youth and their well-being,” said Olivia Shackelford, a sophomore at Oktaha High School.
YAHL supports students across Oklahoma who want to improve health in their schools and communities. Through campaigns like CounterAct, youth build leadership skills, learn how policy shapes health and take part in civic life.
“TSET focuses on prevention because it helps improve health now and in the future,” said Julie Bisbee, TSET executive director. “When young people are informed and engaged, they can help shape healthier communities across Oklahoma.”
Help for Youth and Young Adults Who Want to Quit
Youth ages 13 to 17 who want to quit tobacco or nicotine can get free help through My Life, My Quit™, funded in Oklahoma through the TSET Healthy Youth Initiative. The program offers a short quiz, text support, live chat and one-on-one help designed for teens who want to quit nicotine.
Teens and young adults ages 13 to 24 can also enroll in Quit the Hit, another program funded through the TSET Healthy Youth Initiative. Quit the Hit provides free support to quit vaping, including social media-based encouragement, simple steps to reduce nicotine and help from trained coaches and peers.
###
Youth Action for Health Leadership (YAHL), a program of the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), is a statewide youth-led initiative that partners with schools and organizations to make meaningful and measurable impact on Oklahoma by promoting healthy behaviors. For more information, visit yahlok.org.
The Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) serves as a partner and bridge builder for organizations shaping a healthier future for all Oklahomans. TSET provides leadership at the intersections of health by working with local coalitions and initiatives across the state, cultivating innovative and life-changing research and working across public and private sectors to develop, support, implement and evaluate creative strategies to take advantage of emerging opportunities to improve the public’s health. TSET – Better Lives Through Better Health. To learn more, go to oklahoma.gov/TSET.
# # #