Submitted by Irene Linayao-Putman, Community Health Program Specialist, Tobacco Control Resource Program, Maternal, Child, and Family Health Services

On August 7, 2024, the Tobacco-Free Coalition of San Diego County (TFC) recognized three youth groups from three Live Well San Diego partners during the Recognizing Youth Advocates event for their efforts to address the vaping and smoking epidemic. The recognized groups were: 

TFC Co-Chair Chelsea Walczak Vircks with the American Heart Association gave opening remarks, stating, “We all have a role to play to support strong policies on tobacco sales and exposure to secondhand smoke–so they can protect the health of all residents in all of our cities.” The County of San Diego Tobacco Control Resource Program’s (TCRP’s) Community Health Program Specialist, Irene Linayao-Putman, continued by explaining how Big Tobacco has reached the future generation of smokers, as the U.S. has more than 2.8 million youth addicted to tobacco/nicotine (National Youth Tobacco Survey, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2023).  

During the recognition event, the Changers shared their findings from a recent four-day observational assessment of smoking and vaping at the 2024 San Diego County Fair on June 13 and 29, and July 6 and 7. The assessment revealed noncompliance with the smoke-/vape-free policy and lack of enforcement by Fair employees. They also shared their findings with the 22nd District Agricultural Association, which operates the Del Mar Fairgrounds, during a meeting held on July 15, 2024. Additionally, the STAY Club presented its Atmotube Project. The project assessed poor air quality in Vista High School's bathrooms due to secondhand smoke and vape pollution, urging campus security to address the issue. 

This year, City of La Mesa Councilmember Jack Shu and City of San Diego Councilmember Marni von Wilpert, represented by Senior Policy Advisor Eric Young II, were recognized by the youth for adopting policies demonstrating their commitment to protecting youth. Councilmember Von Wilpert championed a ban on flavored tobacco products before the state law took effect. Councilmember Shu championed the adoption of a strong tobacco retail licensing policy. During the event, he highlighted the threat of tobacco products to the community and the importance of their work in fighting against the industry's efforts to recruit a new generation of tobacco users. He told attendees, "Today, I was reminded of how much of a threat tobacco products are to our community and how much we're fighting against an industry that has no bounds. They will always try to stay in business by having a new generation of tobacco users. So, I think the work that we do is very important." 

TCRP, TFC, and youth groups in San Diego County are collaborating to protect their communities from tobacco-related harms. TFC has supported smoke-free policies across 11 jurisdictions and the County’s unincorporated areas, effectively reducing tobacco addiction and secondhand smoke exposure. Youth are actively involved in data collection on tobacco product waste, illegal sales, air quality monitoring, and secondhand smoke/vape exposure in high school bathrooms. 

Collectively, TCRP, TFC, and the youth groups aim to achieve the first tobacco-free generation in over 120 years. If you want to join TFC’s efforts on tobacco policies or are looking for help to quit smoking or vaping for yourself or others, please contact the program at tobacco@sdcounty.ca.gov.

TFC Co-Chair, Chelsea Walczak Vircks, City of La Mesa Councilmember Jack Shu, STAAND youth group, and CASA staff representative, Michelle Tan posing with their awards.

On behalf of SAY San Diego youth group, staff recognized San Diego City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert, represented here by Senior Policy Advisor Eric Young II, for their efforts in banning flavored tobacco products.  

VCC’s STAY Club youth representative, Johanna Navia, presented about their Atmotube Project at Vista High School bathrooms, which detected poor air quality levels due to smoking and vaping.