TRU (Tobacco.Reality.Unfiltered)

Youth Advocacy and

Tobacco-free Parks

A Walk in the Park

Goals

What is advocacy How to advocate for a cause How to conduct an effective interview How to conduct yourself while being

interviewed How to plan and organize an event

advocating for tobacco free parks

What is advocacy? Advocacy is the act of supporting or

educating about a specific cause. Any advocacy effort must start with a goal. Therefore you must decide who your

audience is and what you will need to educate them on.

Reasons for Tobacco Free Parks

Eliminate litter Secondhand smoke is threatening to

those around Negative influence on youth Tobacco use is the leading cause of

preventable death Children suffer from secondhand

smoke

Tobacco Free vs. Smoke Free

Tobacco Free This encompasses all

forms of tobacco: Smokeless Tobacco Cigarettes Cigars

GOLD STANDARD!!

Smoke Free This only

encompasses cigarettes and tobacco smoked in pipes.

Who can pass laws on the local level?

“Any local political subdivision of this State, any airport authority, or any authority or body created by any joint resolution, ordinance, or rules of any

such entity.”

County CommissionersCity/Town CouncilBoards of Health / Public Health Authorities **Airport Authorities

Assessing Tobacco-Free Parks

Survey Community Profile Environmental Scan

Public Speaking

Be well prepared Practice Relax before speaking Have proper appearance Speak clearly Be YOURSELF!

Seven Seconds of Sound

Letters to the Editor & Tips

When writing an editorial: Contact your local paper and check the word limit.

Usually it will be between 100 and 200 words. Before you start writing, make a list of Key Points

you would like to make in your editorial. Make sure to cite other resources if needed. Send a copy to your adult leader so it can be

approved before you send it to the paper.

Applauds a healthy move by City Council

 by Ari Zitin

 published July 24, 2007 12:15 am

 

Asheville Citizen Times

On May 22, Asheville City Council passed a policy that makes all Asheville City Parks tobacco-free zones. As a student at Asheville High School, I believe that this policy is a great step forward in ensuring that our youths can grow and thrive in a safe and healthy environment.

By passing this policy, we have shown that here in our community we care about the well-being of our youths and are willing to make some small sacrifices to ensure the greater good.

Our tobacco-free parks policy opens the door for Asheville to become a local leader in progressive policy-making, especially where our health is concerned. I commend City Council for moving to make our parks cleaner and more family-friendly and would support them in other movements toward greater health for ourselves and our youths. I encourage parents to bring their children to Asheville City Parks and show their support for a healthier Asheville.

Ari Zitin, Asheville

For more information, please visit

www.questionwhy.org

To schedule a Question Why TRU youth leader training

that focuses on Tobacco-Free Parks Advocacy, please contact Question Why.