Carson Valley teen named National Youth Advocate of the Year by tobacco-free group
The Nevada Tobacco Prevention Coalition congratulates Spencer Flanders, 16, of Minden, Nev., on his recent award as National Youth Advocate of the Year by Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. Flanders was honored in early May at the annual gala in Washington, D.C. alongside former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg and the 2015 winner of the Judy Wilkenfeld Award for International Tobacco Control Excellence.
“NTPC has been privileged to have Spencer helping with tobacco prevention projects that impact young Nevadans throughout the state,” shared Tom McCoy, JD, NTPC President.
“His demonstrated leadership skills and creative ideas have been very beneficial to the mission of the coalition. I often have to stop and remember that he is a high school student. CTFK could not have selected a more deserving recipient and all of us are proud to have a Nevadan so recognized.”
The CTFK Youth Advocate of the Year Awards recognize the remarkable accomplishments of young leaders who are working to make the next generation tobacco-free. Each year, CTFK honors a national winner, four regional winners and one group.
The honorees receive scholarships and program funds to help them continue their work. Flanders received the Western Region Youth Advocate of the Year award in 2014. As national winner Spencer will receive a $7,500 scholarship and $500 for his community. As regional winner he was awarded a $2,500 scholarship and $500 for the community.
Flanders tobacco prevention work includes the creation of the Statewide Coalition of Youth, Nevada’s first youth group advocating for public polices to reduce tobacco use. He also serves as the president of Students Taking on Prevention, or STOP, his local youth organization. He has testified twice before legislative committees during the 2015 Nevada legislative session on tobacco control and prevention issues.
In addition to being a leader himself, Flanders is fostering the next generation of youth leadership in Nevada. Before the legislative session, Flanders spearheaded a youth advocacy summit that trained 40 Nevada teens about the legislative process, tobacco control, and social and policy change – and built a strong, coordinated team to advocate for change. Before his statewide efforts, Spencer was instrumental in getting his home county of Douglas County to adopt tobacco-free parks and playground signage.
Growing up with a learning disability, Flanders was motivated to get involved in tobacco control because of the tobacco industry’s targeting of kids and other vulnerable populations. He is passionate about fighting tobacco use – and the tobacco industry – as a social justice issue.
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