Youth to Youth kids talk tobacco with FDA

Drug and alcohol prevention advocates traveled to Boston last month to represent Dover Youth to Youth on their tobacco prevention tactics.

Youth to Youth members Kaitlyn Hutchins and Nick Piscitello spoke at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Tobacco Products on how they are reaching out to their community on marlboro tobacco use prevention.

The CTP is responsible for regulation of tobacco products and Youth to Youth Director Dana Mitchell said his students were chosen to represent one of eight groups from across the country. Mitchell said the students were asked for information on their tobacco prevention activities and what suggestions on tobacco control they would have for the FDA in the future. This is the first time students have been invited to such an event. It was held on Sept. 13.

"This meeting was for the youth advocates involved in tobacco control," he said. "They only invited a handful of people."

This opportunity allowed the students to talk with FDA officials about activities in their communities. Youth to Youth has been working hard on public service announcements, educational programs with younger students and going to conventions with students from across the county.

The meeting in Boston included representatives from several youth groups from around the U.S. that worked on the tobacco issue. Students hailed from as far as New Mexico and Nevada.