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

On September 3rd, 2024, No Minor Sale volunteer Diego Romero, a first-year college student pursuing his Electrical Engineering degree from New Mexico Tech, presented during the Socorro City Council meeting. The meeting was an opportunity to discuss No Minor Sale campaign goals including protecting youth from nicotine dependance; and educate on the predatory marketing tactics used by the tobacco industry, and the nicotine products policy landscape in New Mexico and across the country. Mayor Bhasker - a businessman and medical doctor in Socorro, New Mexico, Councilor Chavez-Lopez, Councilor Dean, Councilor Fleming, Councilor Ocampo, Councilor Olguin, Councilor Partridge, Councilor Romero, and Councilor Salome were in attendance and were supportive of No Minor Sale campaign efforts.

Mayor Bhasker stated, “I think it is really important that we have our children protected from any nicotine products but especially flavored and I would be in favor of putting together a resolution that the city council would vote on, present that also to the state, that the city of Socorro will be behind that.”

Mayor Bhasker and City Councilors moved forward with adopting Resolution 24-09-17c on September 17th, 2024 - supporting the efforts of the New Mexico Department of Health and the No Minor Sale Campaign to educate youth in the dangers of nicotine products and the restriction of the manufacturing, distribution, and sale of all menthol-flavored cigarettes, all flavored cigars, and flavored e-cigarettes. The adoption of this resolution shows the city of Socorro’s diligence in helping make New Mexico a healthier state for all. 

If you are interested in joining the fight to protect our youth from nicotine dependence, please reach out to Info@NoMinorSale.com for more information and ways to get involved!

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.