The Stanislaus County Office of Education’s Prevention Programs Department will travel to Sacramento with more than 50 students on Monday, March 13 to rally against the tobacco industry and promote local tobacco use prevention efforts.

Protecting Health And Slamming Tobacco (PHAST), a local countywide Youth Coalition will be joining hundreds of youth from around the state at the 16th Annual Youth Quest at 8:30 a.m. at the Masonic Temple (1123 J St., Sacramento) and the garden near the west steps of the State Capitol. This annual event is organized and hosted by the California Youth Advocacy Network. This year’s theme is “Healthy You(th): Advocating for a Tobacco-Free California.” The focus of the youth training, press conference, and meetings with legislators will be on how tobacco impacts youth with an emphasis on flavored products and tobacco in the retail environment. Additionally, the event will emphasize the power of youth to advocate for change.

In the morning, participants will learn about flavored products and tobacco in the retail environment. Youth will also get tips for meeting with elected representatives.  Following lunch, participants will march to the gardens near the west steps of the State Capitol to participate in a rally and press conference led by youth speakers. After the press conference, PHAST youth are slated to meet with the following legislators: Senators Galgiani, Cannella and Berryhill as well as Assembly Members Grey and Flora to discuss issues concerning youth tobacco use.

PHAST is a partnership of the Stanislaus County Office of Education Tobacco Use Prevention Education program, Stanislaus County Health Services Agency, Tobacco Education Program and Memorial Medical Center. The success of PHAST is due to the strong partnership of these three agencies.

For more information, contact Charmaine Monte at (209) 238-1368 or Elizabeth Escalante at (209) 238-1382.