Starting this year, No Minor Sale has launched presentations in elementary and middle school classrooms to educate students about the dangers of nicotine products and their impact on the body and brain. These sessions also highlight the predatory marketing tactics employed by the tobacco industry to target youth and explain how No Minor Sale is working to combat these issues. Here are some key discussion points these presentations highlight:

Raising Awareness About the Dangers of Nicotine Use

Our presentations educate students on the serious risks associated with nicotine products. These substances contain harmful chemicals that can negatively impact the lungs and heart by:

• Causing airway inflammation, which can lead to breathing difficulties and bronchitis.

• Damaging the alveoli, resulting in shortness of breath and potential emphysema (Stanford Medicine).

• Increasing blood pressure and heart rate, while narrowing arteries and affecting blood flow to the heart (American Heart Association).

Additionally, nicotine is highly addictive and can have profound effects on the developing brain:

• It hijacks the brain’s reward center, creating dependency.

• It disrupts the formation of brain circuits that control attention, learning, and susceptibility to addiction.

• It impairs cognitive function, affecting stress management, learning abilities, and self-control.

• It can enhance short-term memory, fine motor skills, and attention, making it harder for users to quit (Medical News Today, 2021).

Understanding Predatory Marketing Tactics

Our sessions also shed light on the aggressive marketing strategies employed by the tobacco industry to target young people. Annually, the industry spends an astonishing $8.6 billion on marketing—equivalent to $23.5 million each day. This immense budget significantly influences policymakers, with $859.4 million dedicated to e-cigarette promotion alone (Tobacco Free Kids, 2024). In New Mexico, $33.4 million is spent on marketing, leading to more than 25% of high school students—roughly 1 in 4—currently using e-cigarettes. In a classroom of 20 students, that means at least 5 could be using these harmful products (Tobacco Free Kids, 2024).

Building Visibility and Support

The most effective way to safeguard New Mexico's youth is to advocate for protective policies. This is why raising awareness and garnering support for our campaign is crucial. Support cards play a vital role in this effort and after each elementary or middle school presentation, we encourage students to sign a card to express their support. This not only amplifies our message but also empowers students to have a voice when we engage with legislators and key decision-makers. Their involvement is essential for driving meaningful change.

If you’re interested in supporting the No Minor Sale campaign and protecting youth from illegal nicotine product sales, please visit NoMinorSale.com/Take-Action or contact us at Info@NoMinorSale.com for more information. Together, we can make a difference!

References

Stanford University. (n.d.). You and me together: Vape-free curriculum - Lesson 2: Healthy body, healthy youth. Retrieved from https://med.stanford.edu/tobaccopreventiontoolkit/you-and-me-together-vape-free-curriculum/ms-lesson-2-healthy-body-healthy-youth.html

American Heart Association. (n.d.). How smoking and nicotine damage your body. Retrieved from https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/quit-smoking-tobacco/how-smoking-and-nicotine-damage-your-body

Medical News Today. (2021). Effects of smoking on the brain. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/smoking-effects-on-the-brain

Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (2024). The toll of tobacco in the U.S. Retrieved from https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/problem/toll-us/

Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (2024). The toll of tobacco in New Mexico. Retrieved from https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/problem/toll-us/new_mexico

Since 2017, No Minor Sale has been educating community members and tobacco retailers across the state of New Mexico with the primary goal being to end illegal nicotine product sales to minors. We have our youth advocates and adult volunteers to thank for all their hard work! There are plenty of ways to get involved and help keep New Mexico youth healthy and safe.

Here are ways to get started:

1. Partner Presentations - Partner presentations are a great way to introduce the campaign to local organizations across the state. These approximately 20-minute presentations can be held in-person or virtually and focus on campaign goals, the policy landscape in our state and across the nation, and how support can help make a difference! If an organization decides to join the campaign as a partner, they simply need to send us their logo so we can showcase it on our website and social media! The point total for completing this opportunity is 125 points.

2. City Council/County Commission Meetings - Speaking with our local elected officials is another great way to get involved. City council and county commission meetings are meant to provide the community with updates on what is happening at the local level and provide a platform for residents to voice their concerns. This is a perfect opportunity for volunteers to share No Minor Sale goals and concerns as well. These presentations last about 5-10 minutes and allow us to ask for support from our local officials. The point total for completing this opportunity is 125 points.

3. Elementary/Middle School Meetings - No Minor Sale also provides educational presentations to elementary and middle school students throughout the state. The presentation lasts approximately 40 minutes and covers topics such as how nicotine affects the body and brain, how the tobacco industry targets youth, and how No Minor Sale works to protect youth from these products. It also includes interactive elements, such as an ad campaign activity, to keep the students engaged. The point total for completing this opportunity is 125 points.

4. Community Events - Community events are another great way to educate, keep the campaign visible, and even recruit other volunteers. The campaign manager will always provide all necessary materials to ensure the event runs smoothly including swag items such as pens, buttons, stickers, magnets, fans, bags, and more. They will also provide talking points to keep the conversation flowing. The point total for completing this opportunity is 125 points for 3-4 hour events and 150 points for 4+ hour events.

5. Legislator Communication - Reaching out to our legislators is an important part of our campaign work. State legislators are key decision makers who endorse policies that are considered during yearly legislative sessions. We can educate legislators via email, phone call, and virtual/in-person meetings so they can make informed decisions regarding policies that can protect youth from nicotine products. The campaign manager can provide a template for outreach so that you have all the information needed to start the conversation. The point total is 30 points for writing a letter or making a phone call; and 50 points for virtual or in-person meetings.

6. Media Interviews on Radio or Television - Interviews on radio or television are another great way to gain visibility for No Minor Sale. This is also an opportunity to have an organic conversation about campaign efforts and why your volunteer work is important. Interviews typically only last a few minutes, but are able to reach a larger audience. The point total for completing this opportunity is 125 points.

7. Social Media/Blogs/Vlogs - Another way to gain visibility is through social media and blog posts. The campaign manager often showcases opportunities on facebook and instagram to not only highlight the campaign, but also to provide proper kudos to those volunteers involved. Volunteers can also write about or record their experiences regarding campaign efforts to share their advocacy work and personal testimonies. These are published on the No Minor Sale website for public viewing. The point total for writing a blog or recording a vlog is 50 points.

   
   

Regardless of which opportunity you decide on, the No Minor Sale campaign manager will train you ahead of time so that you feel well prepared. They will also be in attendance at many opportunities to provide support and answer questions. If interested in joining the campaign as a volunteer, head over to NoMinorSale.com/Take-Action and submit an application for a 30-minute training! Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older and a New Mexico resident to join the program.

Vapes are increasingly prominent amongst youth with over 2.3 million users under the age of 18 reporting using these products across the country (NYTS, 2024). Though nicotine products are dangerous to all users, it is important to note the damaging and lasting effects on youth and the lifelong addiction that is more likely to occur with those who start using nicotine products before the age of 18. 

Vapes contain nicotine which is the chemical found in the tobacco plant. It is usually "smoked" in cigarettes or cigars (burned) or "vaped" in e-cigarettes (electronically heated). Vaping causes swelling and irritation of the airways in your lungs which ultimately makes it more challenging for air to enter and exit. This can turn into bronchitis. Vaping can also damage the Alveoli - which, according to the National Library of Medicine, are microscopic balloon-shaped structures located at the end of the respiratory tree. They expand during inhalation, taking in oxygen, and shrink during exhalation, expelling carbon dioxide (Seadler, B. D., Toro, F., & Sharma, S., 2023). When the Alveoli becomes damaged, this can lead to emphysema which is a lung condition that causes shortness of breath (Stanford Medicine). Emphysema can be treated and slowed down, but unfortunately causes irreversible damage to the lungs (Mayo Clinic, 2017).

Vapes can also damage the brain - especially if that brain has not fully developed. Nicotine can disrupt key brain receptors making it easier for youth to develop nicotine dependance. Studies also show that once someone has tried vaping, they are seven times more likely to become smokers one year later compared to those who have never tried vaping (Truth Initiative, 2022). Nicotine addiction may also worsen symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. According to the Truth Initiative in 2022, 90% of youth who quit vaping nicotine products said they had improved mental health.

This is why it is vitally important to protect youth from these products. No Minor Sale advocates for ways to do so, including educating policy makers such as state legislators about the harmful effects of these products. 5 states and over 380 local governments throughout the US have addressed this issue by restricting flavored nicotine products to protect youth from the tobacco industry’s predatory marketing tactics (Bach L., 2024). We can also take steps to protect our community and make a difference!

If you or someone you know is experiencing nicotine dependance, help is available. 1-800-QUIT-NOW is a free resource available to all New Mexicans over the age of 18. With 24/7 support, a personal Quit Plan, self-help materials, unlimited sessions with a trained coach, and two weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy, quitting is possible. Resources are also available for teens, parents, or any adult who’s concerned about someone they love through the Live Vape Free program. Cessation resources through this program are available to those 13-17 years of age and connect teens with a coach for tips to quit, provide quit stories from other teens, and provide podcasts, quizzes, videos, and more. Learn more at QuitNowNM.com and LiveVapeFreeNM.com.

Learn more about ways you can help protect youth and New Mexicans from nicotine dependance at NoMinorSale.com/take-action!

References

Bach, L. (2024, June 18). Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. States Localities STATES & LOCALITIES THAT HAVE RESTRICTED THE SALE OF FLAVORED TOBACCO PRODUCTS. Retrieved from https://assets.tobaccofreekids.org/factsheets/0398.pdf

Mayo Clinic. Emphysema - Symptoms and causes. (2017, April 28). Retrieved from www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/emphysema/symptoms-causes/syc-20355555

Stanford Medicine. Middle School - Lesson 2 - Healthy Body, Healthy You-th | Tobacco Prevention Toolkit. (n.d.). Retrieved August 8, 2024, from https://med.stanford.edu/tobaccopreventiontoolkit/you-and-me-together-vape-free-curriculum/ms-lesson-2-healthy-body-healthy-youth.html

Truth Initiative. Nicotine and the young brain. (2022, June 8). Retrieved from https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/harmful-effects-tobacco/nicotine-and-young-brain

Truth Initiative. Nicotine use and stress. (2022, March 10). Retrieved from https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/emerging-tobacco-products/nicotine-use-and-stress 

FDA. Results from the annual National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS). (2024, June 26). Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/youth-and-tobacco/results-annual-national-youth-tobacco-survey 

Seadler, B. D., Toro, F., & Sharma, S. (2023, May 1). National Library of Medicine. Physiology, Alveolar Tension. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539825/