Created through funding from the Fresno County Department of Public Health – Tobacco Prevention Program, Youth MCAT is tasked with mobilizing youth to create policy, systems and environmental (PSE) changes in an effort to decrease the availability and promotion of tobacco products in local communities. The project implements a 5-step model known as Community Action Model (CAM) to create PSE change, which includes:
Engaging and training youth to become community advocates;
Completing a community diagnosis;
Analyzing the community diagnosis;
Selecting a PSE change for the community to implement; and
Enforcing that PSE change.
Youth MCAT is currently mobilizing change in an effort to find solutions to minimize the sale and use of flavored and mentholated tobacco products at all stores in unincorporated Fresno County.
Why Address Flavored Tobacco Products
Flavored tobacco products are deceiving- they mask the harsh taste of tobacco making it easier for young people to start and continue using nicotine. The variety of over 15,500 flavors also entice youth use by appearing in youth friendly flavors that may be perceived as not having the same negative health effects as traditional tobacco. Some flavors consist of Strawberries, Sour Gummy Worms, Horchata, Lychee, and Unicorn Puke. These products are not coincidentally named after innocent products – this is the tobacco industry’s new tactic to hook new consumers.
CAM originated in San Francisco as a program that addresses community health at a policy, systems, and environmental change level. This is the first time that the CAM project has been introduced to the Central Valley so we are excited to embark on this journey with our first cohort of Community Advocates.
Created through funding from the Fresno County Department of Public Health – Tobacco Prevention Program, Youth MCAT is tasked with mobilizing youth to create policy, systems and environmental (PSE) changes in an effort to decrease the availability and promotion of tobacco products in local communities. The project implements a 5-step model known as Community Action Model (CAM) to create PSE change, which includes:
Engaging and training youth to become community advocates;
Completing a community diagnosis;
Analyzing the community diagnosis;
Selecting a PSE change for the community to implement; and
Enforcing that PSE change.
Youth MCAT is currently mobilizing change in an effort to find solutions to minimize the sale and use of flavored and mentholated tobacco products at all stores in unincorporated Fresno County.
Why Address Flavored Tobacco Products
Flavored tobacco products are deceiving- they mask the harsh taste of tobacco making it easier for young people to start and continue using nicotine. The variety of over 15,500 flavors also entice youth use by appearing in youth friendly flavors that may be perceived as not having the same negative health effects as traditional tobacco. Some flavors consist of Strawberries, Sour Gummy Worms, Horchata, Lychee, and Unicorn Puke. These products are not coincidentally named after innocent products – this is the tobacco industry’s new tactic to hook new consumers.
CAM originated in San Francisco as a program that addresses community health at a policy, systems, and environmental change level. This is the first time that the CAM project has been introduced to the Central Valley so we are excited to embark on this journey with our first cohort of Community Advocates.
The Youth Making Change Against Tobacco (MCAT) Project believes that youth have the ability to create change and values their input on issues that impact them the most. With the ultimate goal of supporting youth in becoming community leaders and advocates, the Youth MCAT Project aims to provide them with the essential tools that will lead them to create the change they wish to see.
The California Health Collaborative hosts youth coalitions under the umbrella of the statewide coalition Collaborate. Advocate. Lead. Inspire. (CALI). CALI Youth coalitions focus on a wide array of community efforts including substance use prevention, local policy change efforts, and civic engagement. Our YOUTH MCAT group of youth is a part of the CALI Youth Coalitions. They represent the communities of Easton and Caruthers in Unincorporated Fresno County.
TRAINING
Youth Advocacy & Leadership
Data Collection & Analysis
Professional Development
Public Speaking
Health Education
Community Outreach
Youth Making Change Against Tobacco (MCAT)
Tobacco Prevention
Youth Making Change Against Tobacco (MCAT)
Youth Making Change Against Tobacco (MCAT)
Who We Are
Created through funding from the Fresno County Department of Public Health – Tobacco Prevention Program, Youth MCAT is tasked with mobilizing youth to create policy, systems and environmental (PSE) changes in an effort to decrease the availability and promotion of tobacco products in local communities. The project implements a 5-step model known as Community Action Model (CAM) to create PSE change, which includes:
Engaging and training youth to become community advocates;
Completing a community diagnosis;
Analyzing the community diagnosis;
Selecting a PSE change for the community to implement; and
Enforcing that PSE change.
Youth MCAT is currently mobilizing change in an effort to find solutions to minimize the sale and use of flavored and mentholated tobacco products at all stores in unincorporated Fresno County.
Why Address Flavored Tobacco Products
Flavored tobacco products are deceiving- they mask the harsh taste of tobacco making it easier for young people to start and continue using nicotine. The variety of over 15,500 flavors also entice youth use by appearing in youth friendly flavors that may be perceived as not having the same negative health effects as traditional tobacco. Some flavors consist of Strawberries, Sour Gummy Worms, Horchata, Lychee, and Unicorn Puke. These products are not coincidentally named after innocent products – this is the tobacco industry’s new tactic to hook new consumers.
CAM originated in San Francisco as a program that addresses community health at a policy, systems, and environmental change level. This is the first time that the CAM project has been introduced to the Central Valley so we are excited to embark on this journey with our first cohort of Community Advocates.
The Unidos Por Salud Project is a regional tobacco prevention program funded through the California Department of Public Health-California Tobacco Control Program. The program is tasked with reducing tobacco-related health disparities and improving health equity among the Hispanic/Latino community in the following seven counties in the Central Valley including Merced, Mariposa, Madera, Fresno, Tulare, Kings, and Kern County.
The main focus of the program includes addressing the sale of flavored and mentholated tobacco products within 1,000 feet of schools and youth-sensitive areas, smoke-free multiunit housing, and developing Hispanic/Latino youth partnerships and engagement.
The Unidos Por Salud Project is a regional tobacco prevention program funded through the California Department of Public Health-California Tobacco Control Program. The program is tasked with reducing tobacco-related health disparities and improving health equity among the Hispanic/Latino community in the following seven counties in the Central Valley including Merced, Mariposa, Madera, Fresno, Tulare, Kings, and Kern County.
The main focus of the program includes addressing the sale of flavored and mentholated tobacco products within 1,000 feet of schools and youth-sensitive areas, smoke-free multiunit housing, and developing Hispanic/Latino youth partnerships and engagement.
The Unidos Por Salud Project is a regional tobacco prevention program funded through the California Department of Public Health-California Tobacco Control Program. The program is tasked with reducing tobacco-related health disparities and improving health equity among the Hispanic/Latino community in the following seven counties in the Central Valley including Merced, Mariposa, Madera, Fresno, Tulare, Kings, and Kern County.
The main focus of the program includes addressing the sale of flavored and mentholated tobacco products within 1,000 feet of schools and youth-sensitive areas, smoke-free multiunit housing, and developing Hispanic/Latino youth partnerships and engagement.
