Hi, my name is Mona S. and I am a junior at Millwood High School in Oklahoma. I have been a part of Youth Action for Health Leadership (YAHL) and the leadership team for three years. As a YAHL member, I work on the CounterAct Tobacco campaign, where we raise awareness about youth tobacco use and vaping.

I see my peers vaping during and after school, and I don’t think they always realize how harmful tobacco and vaping can be. Seeing tobacco use affect people around me motivates me to raise awareness and help other young people understand the risks.

YAHL hosted a Capitol Day where we talked with legislators about youth vaping and ways to address tobacco use among young people. It was an opportunity to share our experiences and help decision-makers understand why this issue matters to Oklahoma youth.

I also gave a presentation at U.S. Grant High School to educate students about the risks of tobacco and vaping. By sharing what I’ve learned with other students, I hope to raise awareness and encourage young people to help create healthier environments in their schools and communities.

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Blog written by: Mona Stevenson-Hunt, Millwood High School