Maui students (left to right, on stage) Leimamo Naihe, Brandon Antonius, Keoki Naihe, Monica Medrano, Hannah Fuqua, (standing) Stephanie Franklin, Jenna Alipio, (on ground) Charae Tongg and Allex Halley participated in the The Real Experience VI Anti-Tobacco Youth Summit on O‘ahu earlier this month.
“The presentations at the summit opened me up to how the tobacco industry is manipulating cultural practices to sell its products—for example it exploits the Native Americans tradition of using tobacco for spiritual practices,” said 16-year-old Maui REAL Statewide Advocate Monica Medrano.
“Share the Love”
by giving a friend a coupon for free American Spirit Cigarettes.
BUT...REAL says there are 4 things you can do to REALly
“Share the Love.”
Photo Opportunity
WHAT:
One hundred
Hawaii youth from across the islands will be participating in
The Real Experience VI Anti-Tobacco Industry Youth Summit at the University of Hawaii – Manoa campus. The summit will
equip local youth with tools to lead activism against the tobacco industry’s influence in their communities. Youth will learn how the tobacco industry strategically uses marketing to promote its deadly products, gain activism techniques to communicate their anti-tobacco industry messages, and discuss tobacco use and its relationship to social injustices.
Read the entire media advisory
At the recent Kick Butts Day at the state capitol, Courtney points to a REAL- created sample advertisement, depicting how tobacco companies target youth to use their products
Richard Ambo, The Honolulu Advertiser
Courtney Viernes-Silva, a senior at Waipahu High School, is the
recipient of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids' 2010 National Youth
Advocate Award. She will be honored at the Campaign's gala event in
Washington, D.C. on May 12. Youth are selected for this award based on
their commitment to tobacco control, including work on tobacco control
policy at the local level.
Courtney was nominated for this award by Nicole Sutton, REAL project coordinator, who has witnessed Courtney's steady growth as an effective youth advocate and leader. The award recognizes Courtney's tireless advocacy and leadership roles in REAL for the past five years. She has served as a peer trainer, organizer, and presenter for hundreds of REAL events and activities.
