No Minor Sale’s growing adult volunteer program, which has garnered strong participation among college students in New Mexico, continues to play a significant role in New Mexico’s youth tobacco prevention education efforts. In February, five No Minor Sale volunteers educated 15 state and local policymakers in New Mexico about their work with the campaign and specific issues in youth tobacco prevention.
No Minor Sale’s second annual Take a Stand Day, an opportunity to connect with state legislators, took place on Feb. 2. No Minor Sale volunteers educated state legislators about the dangers of flavors, including menthol, in tobacco products such as cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars and chew.
In addition, volunteers spoke to the issue of tobacco preemption in New Mexico, referring to the inability of New Mexico towns, cities and counties to pass certain tobacco prevention laws at the local level. Meetings were held with Sen. William Soules (District 37 in Doña Ana County), Rep. Nathan Small (District 36 in Doña Ana County), Rep. Angelica Rubio (District 35 in Doña Ana County) and Rep. Raymundo Lara (District 34 in Doña Ana County).
With her second Take a Stand Day experience, No Minor Sale volunteer and University of New Mexico sophomore Karina Tarango, who is pursuing a degree in Elementary Education, said:
“I really enjoyed my second year taking part. While meeting with legislators, I was able to improve my public speaking skills. These skills will not only serve me in future No Minor Sale events, but they will also be useful in my everyday life as a college student. The legislators I met with were very happy to see that young people, like myself, cared and were advocating for change."
Fellow No Minor Sale volunteer Chelsea Pritchard took part in all four legislator meetings during her first Take a Stand Day experience. A first-year Master of Public Health candidate at New Mexico State University, Pritchard spoke to her participation by saying:
“My experience was positive and rewarding, and I would love to take part in it again next year. As a graduate student, I appreciated the opportunity to speak with state legislators and learn about the governmental process in raising awareness for the No Minor Sale campaign. I realized through this experience that legislators are receptive to knowing the issues facing our community.”
Through Take a Stand Day, volunteers also contributed by sending emails to New Mexico legislators, discussing their volunteer work and the importance of youth tobacco prevention. Sarah Granio, a junior at New Mexico State University, wrote to three state representatives and two state senators. Fellow volunteer Jaeann Gonzales, a junior at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology University, wrote to three state Representatives.
But state legislators weren’t the only policymakers that volunteers met with. Alisa Doan, a first-year Master of Public Health candidate at New Mexico State University, met with Las Cruces District 5 City Councilwoman Becky Corran. Speaking to her experience, Doan said:
“I enjoyed meeting with City Councilor Coran; her reception toward the No Minor Sale presentation was very warm, engaging, and very constructive.”
Funded by the New Mexico Department of Health Nicotine Use Prevention and Control program, No Minor Sale is leading New Mexico’s work in education on the dangers of flavored tobacco products. And unless clearly stated, any mention of tobacco in this press release does not refer to ceremonial or traditional tobacco use but rather commercial tobacco products. Learn more about the No Minor Sale campaign and its growing volunteer program at NoMinorSale.com.
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Michael Kelly, MPH, is the No Minor Sale campaign manager
