Hello, my name is Wyatt H., and I am a junior at Newkirk High School. I am also a part of Youth Action for Health Leadership (YAHL), and I am speaking about the CounterAct Tobacco campaign.

CounterAct Tobacco informs both teenagers and adults about tobacco and nicotine products and the issues surrounding them. Did you know that it can be very easy for underage people, like teenagers, to get a hold of and use vapes or e-cigarettes? CounterAct works to educate Oklahomans about policies that can help better regulate these products and keep them out of the hands of young people.

Unfortunately, vape products are not taxed the same way as cigarettes, and in Oklahoma, stores that sell only vape and other nicotine products are not required to have the same tobacco retail license as stores that sell tobacco products. Through CounterAct, we meet with state representatives and legislators to educate them about these issues and share the perspectives of Oklahoma youth.

For CounterAct Tobacco, I have presented at my middle school and high school about the dangers of vaping and nicotine. I have also talked with my principal about how we can help keep our school tobacco free! My goal is to help create a healthier Oklahoma and protect future generations from the harmful effects of tobacco use.

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Blog written by: Wyatt Hollingsworth, Newkirk High School