On August 15th, our own Neka Gilliam was a guest speaker at the National African American Tobacco Prevention Network (NAATPN) Faith-Based Institutions Tobacco End-Game Health Summit that was held here in Atlanta. The purpose of the summit was to raise awareness in the faith-based community of the health impact that mentholated tobacco products are having on the black community, and different activities that faith based institutions can implement to help alleviate the problem.
Neka elaborated on the need to involve youth and gave examples of how to engage youth and get them involved in faith-based institutions tobacco prevention activities. She received a standing ovation when she shared the successes of our youth advocates.
The summit featured speaker, former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin. Dr. Benjamin talked about the importance of the church being involved in the tobacco control movement. She also recognized our youth advocates as being examples of youth involvement. Dr. Phillip Gardiner, a retiree from the University of California Tobacco Related Disease Research Program, gave an address on the disparate impact that mentholated tobacco products have on communities of color and youth.
Neka elaborated on the need to involve youth and gave examples of how to engage youth and get them involved in faith-based institutions tobacco prevention activities. She received a standing ovation when she shared the successes of our youth advocates.
| (l-r) Dr. Phil Gardiner, Neka Gilliam, and Former Surgeon General Regina Benjamin |
The summit featured speaker, former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin. Dr. Benjamin talked about the importance of the church being involved in the tobacco control movement. She also recognized our youth advocates as being examples of youth involvement. Dr. Phillip Gardiner, a retiree from the University of California Tobacco Related Disease Research Program, gave an address on the disparate impact that mentholated tobacco products have on communities of color and youth.