The San Mateo County Tobacco Education Coalition’s Youth Advisory Group is a project of the San Mateo County Tobacco Education Coalition and the San Mateo County Office of Education. Our Youth Advisory Group is made up of students from across San Mateo County who are committed to:
- Raising awareness about the impact of tobacco use
- Encouraging smokers to get help
- Educating the broader community about youth tobacco prevention with a social equity lens
The Group’s members consult on the development of county-wide anti-tobacco youth initiatives, participate in school and community projects, and brainstorm ideas on how the coalition can best serve youth and young adults.
yli supports the Group by providing leadership development and guidance during the school year. Trainings focus on public speaking, community organizing, civic leadership, and guiding impactful projects like Photovoice, where youth use photography to spotlight tobacco-related issues in their communities. Through this support, yli empowers youth to become advocates and leaders in tobacco prevention efforts.
Interested in Joining?
We welcome youth with lived experiences related to smoking, tobacco, and vaping. We truly value the diverse perspectives of young people from all walks of life, including different socio-economic backgrounds, races and ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, abilities, and experiences with tobacco use. Your unique voice and insights are important to us!
The Youth Advisory Group application period is from August to September. Follow us at @yli_SanMateoCounty on instagram and check the San Mateo County Office of Education for future opportunities.
Applicants must be:
- San Mateo County students and residents enrolled in grades 8-12.
- Youth who can commit a minimum of 1.5 hours per month from October to May. This includes attending monthly general meetings, committee meetings, and participating in community projects.
- Passionate about becoming an active advocate for anti-tobacco use among youth.
- Excited about raising awareness about tobacco prevention, encouraging smokers to get help, and educating the community with a focus on social equity.