Fargo Cass Public Health to host 3rd annual Break Free Youth Action Summit

Photo by: Fargo Cass Public Health
Photo by: Fargo Cass Public Health

(Fargo, ND) -- Fargo Cass Public Health will host the third annual ‘Break Free Youth Action Summit’ on Tuesday.

The event is organized and supported by a partnership between FCPH and Tobacco Free North Dakota. Approximately 80 North Dakota middle and high school students and their advisors are expected to attend the summit, which is offered at no cost to participants.

The YAS provides a unique opportunity for youth advocates to demonstrate their passion and commitment to helping create the next tobacco free generation. The summit will give students tools and resources to find their voice and advocate for change. National speaker Kim Homer-Vagadori, California Youth Advocacy Network, will provide education to the students about how the tobacco industry uses flavors to hook kids, flavored tobacco policy, and how youth can become successful advocates to make change in their communities.

“We are excited to host the third Fargo Youth Action Summit," said FCPH Tobacco Prevention Coordinator, Annabel DuFault. "Youth involvement in tobacco prevention is critical and the summit will give students tools they need to take action and make a positive change, both in their communities and throughout the state.”

Youth are at the center of the nation’s current vaping epidemic. Although there has been a significant decrease in youth smoking rates over the last few years, vaping, or use of electronic cigarettes, among high school students remains high. According to the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data, current vaping use among North Dakota high school students is 21.2%, remaining higher than ND adult e-cigarette use rates of 17.9%.