The Fight Against Tobacco Recognized Nationally

Cantrell Foster, Deshanda Smarr, Desha Smarr, and Joseph Cole accepted the Youth Advocates of the Year award.

Four of our Youth Team Members, working with Learn To Grow Inc. and community partner the H.E.A.R.T. Coalition, were named Youth Advocates of the Year by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids for their leadership in the fight against tobacco. With their parents in attendance, they were honored with the Group Award at a gala in the nation’s capital on Thursday, May 15, 2014 along with four U.S. regional winners and a national winner.

The H.E.A.R.T. Coalition has raised awareness of and taken action against tobacco throughout Atlanta and in the African-American community in particular. Last year, the group led a successful campaign for a tobacco-free parks ordinance. They gathered signatures for a petition and attended a City Council meeting to inform council members about problems such as secondhand smoke and cigarette butt litter that tobacco was causing in community parks. With the help of a city councilmembers, the ordinance passed with unanimous support. The H.E.A.R.T. Coalition has since conducted surveys and continued to educate the community on the benefits of smoke-free parks.

In addition, the group has created displays with tobacco facts and counter-marketing posters for area malls. They also organized Kick Butts Day and Great American Smoke out events to call attention to tobacco industry marketing to African Americans and promote the Georgia Tobacco Quit Line. Their next goals include working on a countywide smoke-free parks ordinance and fighting tobacco marketing in the African American community.

More than 400 public health, political, civic and business leaders attended the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids’ 18th annual gala in Washington, D.C., to recognize these young leaders. The winners received educational scholarships and grants to continue their prevention efforts. They also now serve as ambassadors for Tobacco-Free Kids.

“We are thrilled to honor the H.E.A.R.T. Coalition as our group winner,” said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. “Young leaders like them are crucial in the fight to make tobacco history and end this epidemic for good. With their help, we can create the first tobacco-free generation.”