Philippines Advocacy Trip
Day 1 (August 4, 2025) of the Philippines Advocacy Trip:
On the first day, IYTC's Founder and CEO along with our President had a roundtable discussion on Tobacco Control. The trip began with a powerful roundtable discussion in collaboration with local partners, allowing for our advocacy work. Lisa Lu and Kaelin Lee from IYTC joined community leaders, researchers, and policymakers to share perspectives on strengthening tobacco control in the Philippines.
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Day 2 (August 5, 2025) of the Philippines Advocacy trip:
On the second day, IYTC's representatives engaged in policy pushing with Kabataan Partylist Representative Reja Renee Co to advocate for urgent reforms in the Vape Bill at the House of Representatives. IYTC met with Kabataan Partylist Representative Reja Renee Co to discuss raising the minimum age for vape purchase, strengthening taxation measures, and implementing stricter regulations for flavored vape products.
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Day 3 (August 6, 2025) of the Philippines Advocacy Trip:
On the third day of the trip, media engagement and Youth Collaboration was emphasized, further spreading our message to a wider audience through media platforms. Delegates engaged in discussions covered by national news outlets, ensuring that the advocacy for stronger tobacco and vape regulation reached both policymakers and the public audience. The day also included collaboration with other youth leaders within the Philippines, reinforcing unity and building momentum for collective change.
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​​Day 4 (August 7, 2025) of the Philippines Advocacy Trip:
On the fourth day of this advocacy adventure, Lisa Lu and Kaelin Lee directly educated students on tobacco awareness in Datamex College of Saint Adeline. Through interactive sessions, students learned about the serious health risks associated with vaping and were encouraged to reflect on the society around them in relation to tobacco usage.
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Day 5 (August 8, 2025) of the Philippines Advocacy Trip:
On the fifth day, Lisa Lu (CEO and Founder of IYTC) and Kaelin Lee (President of IYTC) focused on sustainability and long-term collaboration. They met with local leaders and health advocates to discuss strategies for stronger, united action against tobacco and vaping harms. These partnerships solidified the importance of ongoing advocacy and strengthened the role of youth voices in shaping healthier communities leaving a lasting impact on families country wide.
2025 World Conference on Tobacco Control (Dublin, Ireland):
We were proud to participate in the 2025 World Conference on Tobacco Control, held in Dublin, Ireland, from June 23–25. The conference brought together over 1,000 professionals, government officials, researchers, youth leaders, and advocates from across the globe, all committed to ending the influence of the tobacco industry. Our CEO, Lisa Lu, was invited to speak at the session “Generational Accountability: Youth Taking a Stand Against the Tobacco Industry,” where she shared our organization’s vision for youth-led action and intergenerational responsibility in tobacco control. Lisa also joined a global press briefing alongside international journalists interested in the growing momentum of youth mobilization in public health.
Lisa received the Terry Luther Young Pioneer Award — one of the highest honors in the field. The award, presented annually by the World Conference on Tobacco Control, recognizes two outstanding leaders under 40 and one distinguished career awardee over 40. Our Founder and CEO was selected from a competitive pool of global nominees for her impact and leadership.
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Photos #1–3: Lisa at the conference
Photo #4: Director-General of the World Health Organization
We are absolutely thrilled to launch IYTC’s exciting new online resource series! This episode in our journey kicks off our mission to create fun, powerful, and impactful content that raises awareness about the dangers of youth tobacco use. Filled with energy and purpose, we dive into the eye opening facts about the industry of tobacco in Indonesia and beyond. To increase our global impact, IYTC teamed up with ICTC Pamuna Bangura and local partners for an inspiring school event. From powerful messages to real-world impact, this video is all about educating. We can't wait for you to watch, share, like, and join us in this important cause!
The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the supreme decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Tobacco control is an important part of the conversation due to tobacco's significant environmental impact.
Ahead of this year's COP, taking place in November in Switzerland, we're hosting a discussion on how to meaningfully engage youth in climate and tobacco-related advocacy.
If you or members of your chapter are interested in participating, let us know—so we can include you in the invitation once the meeting time is confirmed.
Tobacco Free Around the World
IYTC hosted its first “Tobacco Free Around the World” series event in Kenya with Den of Hope and Kenya Tobacco Control Alliance. This was the first cross-continent event in which over 50 students from Africa and North America were able to learn and discuss the harms of cigarettes and vapes. The event consisted of a presentation from IYTC and Den of Hope and was followed by a discussion where Kenyan and American students shared their perspectives on tobacco usage in their communities. At the end of the event, all students signed their names to pledge to not use tobacco products.
Fatia Achieng, Kenya, said after the event, “I want to help my friend quit and will start by making sure she is aware of the health consequences of tobacco.” Liliana Kazachka, US, recounted, “I learned tobacco causes a lot of body damage such as cancer and tooth decay and will share what I learned to anybody I know.”
In this video, we teamed up with an incredible youth-led tobacco control organization in Indonesia to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco. We pushed for stronger regulations within the community. Together, we were able to chase our mission of clearing today's youth from the harmful effects of substances. We shared stories and experiences hoping to show the real impact. You’ll see firsthand how youth voices can create real change—through advocacy, campaigns, and policy efforts.
World No Tobacco Day
IYTC successfully completed our very first World No Tobacco Day campaign with the help of youth from all around the world! In the two weeks leading up to World Tobacco Day on May 31, we featured youths and why they choose to reject tobacco on our social media. Youth from Sweden, the Philippines, Indonesia, Mexico, and other countries participated in this social media campaign and wrote in their native tongue to raise awareness internationally.
Parental Toolkit
Need help educating your children on the harms of tobacco? Don’t worry! IYTC has created multiple different educational resources for your children, including videos in both English and Mandarin. Additionally, we have multiple versions available, including specialized videos for either older or younger children!
Find these resources on our IYTC Youtube or at www.iytc.org/resources to start educating your children now!
Open Letter to Presidential Candidates of Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile
The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA)—as the governing body of Formula 1, the highest class of international auto-racing—has failed to act to end tobacco industry sponsorship of the McLaren and Ferrari Formula 1 teams. These sponsorship deals help tobacco industry brands and messaging reach a global youth audience - innocent spectators, many of whom are subjected to the harms of the tobacco industry in their countries. This unwarranted exposure must end.
IYTC has written and published an open letter to the two presidential candidates of FIA, demanding action to address this problem. We stand strong with our 16 co-signatories from Sweden, South Africa, Mexico, Belgium, Thailand, Kenya, the Caribbean, India, Brazil, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Costa Rica, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam.
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Statement of the Youth
On the occasion of International Youth Day on August 12, we have joined together with global partners to demonstrate intergenerational solidarity against the tobacco industry. In this released statement, we condemn the tobacco industry’s creation of a new generation of addiction and call for governments to make the tobacco companies pay for past, present, and future harms.
Open Letter to Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile
The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA)—as the governing body of Formula 1, the highest class of international auto-racing—has failed to act to end tobacco industry sponsorship of the McLaren and Ferrari Formula 1 teams. These sponsorship deals help tobacco industry brands and messaging reach a global youth audience - innocent spectators, many of whom are subjected to the harms of the tobacco industry in their countries. This unwarranted exposure must end.
IYTC has written and published an open letter to the FIA, demanding action to address this problem. We stand strong with our 16 co-signatories from Sweden, South Africa, Mexico, Belgium, Thailand, Kenya, the Caribbean, India, Brazil, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Costa Rica, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam.
We have received a response letter from Mr. Jean Todt that can be read in the link below.
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As a part of the Global Youth Voices(GYV), IYTC signed a letter sent to Secretary-General Guterres, of the UN, calling for policy coherence in the resolutions of the UN and protection from tobacco industry interference, in order to shape a sustainable and equitable world.
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We recognize the agenda items at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) will have a direct impact on undermining tobacco control because many proposed solutions, on topics such as sustainable reporting and financing, would detrimentally recognize the tobacco industry as legitimate stakeholders. Not to mention, UN entanglements with tobacco and related industries remain prominent, when there is a conflict of interest between public health and tobacco.
Thus, IYTC is asking the UN to make their consequential actions count towards protecting youth well being and health against the tobacco industry, which is rightfully underscored with the UN’s future adoption of the Pact of the Future. The office of the Secretary General read and acknowledged our letter.
IYTC The Brussels Times Article
With the rise of "tobacco-free" nicotine products, IYTC cosponsored a letter with A Non-Smoking Generation, Sweden during COP9. Dr. Adriana Blanco Marquizio, Head of the Convention Secretariat, has acknowledged the receipt of the letter, which explores the misinformation of "tobacco-free" marketing, environmental impacts, and global commitments.
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Dear FIA, A Message From Youth Around the World
Youths around the world have a message for the FIA. As the governing body of Formula 1 auto racing, the FIA permits tobacco companies to reach #F1’s young fans through tobacco sponsorship, exposing them to nicotine and tobacco products at a young age. We, the tobacco-free generation, demand change from the FIA. Learn More.
San Marino School Board Meeting
On September 10th, we met with the San Marino Unified School District Board of Education. At the meeting, IYTC members spoke out about the current vaping issue facing many youths and proposed joint efforts with the school district to bring about a tobacco-free school environment. As a result, IYTC will soon be creating an informational video for teachers and staff to identify and address vaping on school campuses. Furthermore, the annual health-focused Red Ribbon Week will include avoiding vaping as part of its message.
Group Photo
Presenting to Board
No Tobacco Week
Our "No Tobacco" Weeks, either in China or with exchange students, have spread awareness to over 4,000 students.
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LACOE Alternative to Suspension Policies
Because we believe the vaping epidemic is reflective of manipulative marketing, we should focus more on help than punishment.
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IYTC representatives were invited to the LA County Office of Education meeting to discuss alternatives to suspension.
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IYTC Philippines
IYTC ambassadors have collected data on 293 local students in the Philippines and found a 9% smoking rate, roughly two times that of the US. IYTC is developing an educational curriculum with Nemesio I. Yabut Senior High School as we navigate local policy.
*In partnership with the Tobacco Research Center of the University of California, San Franciso.
Disney Onscreen Smoking
In 2019, Disney purchased 140 films from Fox that contained smoking scenes. We wrote to CEO Robert Iger-from California, New Jersey, China, and Saudi Arabia-to place restrictions by warning about the impacts.
*In partnership with the Tobacco Research Center of the University of California, San Franciso.
Member's Post
Art Contests
IYTC held their Annual Youth Art contest where youth depicted IYTC's mission statement "Every Teen Deserves a Healthy Life" through art. We received multiple submission from youth internationally and rewarded the top three winners a cash prize.
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Other Submissions
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Other Submissions
"Be Smart, Don't Start" Series
We initiated this educational series in order to spread awareness to elementary and middle schoolers about the harms of tobacco products before they enter high school, where usage is the most prevalent.
*Supported by the American Heart Association and Stanford Medical School.
