Our Work

"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.

Participants Engaged

Event Group Photo

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.

Other Submissions

Other Submissions

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.

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.

IYTC x AYC

IYTC held one of its first video activities with the Asian Youth Center! In this fun activity, IYTC sent AYC an educational video on the harms of tobacco and vital information the kids should know in order to stay safe from tobacco. The students at AYC watched it with their tutor. After the kids watched the video, they filled out an interactive worksheet with the knowledge they learned! We’ll be releasing another video on peer pressure and are excited to share more resources with AYC!

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LA Social Media Campaign

The IYTC #ProtectOurYouth campaign, a partnership with the LA County Public Health Department to raise awareness on the harms of tobacco usage, was a campaign to spread awareness about the harms of tobacco usage and shares young advocates' personal stories. Through the process, we have gained a total reach of 119,696 people on both Instagram and Facebook! Thank you everyone for supporting us throughout this process and keep following our social media for our next campaign!

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Member's Post

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Member's Post

LACOE Alternative to Suspension Policies

Because we believe the vaping epidemic is reflective of manipulative marketing, we should focus more on help than punishment.

IYTC representatives were invited to the LA County Office of Education meeting to discuss alternatives to suspension.

No Tobacco Week

Our "No Tobacco" Weeks, either in China or with exchange students, have spread awareness to over 4,000 students.

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

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.”

Indonesia 2024 Advocacy Trip IYTC × IYCTC Indonesia

In July 2024, the International Youth Tobacco Control (IYTC) had the privilege of partnering with the Indonesian Youth Council for Tactical Changes (IYCTC) to launch a meaningful international youth advocacy initiative in Surakarta, Indonesia. We created a meangingful video in the process of the project that captures the heart of our mission in action: youth educating youth, cultures learning from one another, and communities coming together to address a global public-health challenge.

As an organization committed to empowering young people through education, we focused on ensuring that students gained a clear understanding of the harms of tobacco use, the tactics behind tobacco marketing, and the ways social media messaging can shape norms and influence behavior. Through interactive lessons, real-world examples, and student-driven discussions, we aimed to equip participants with the critical-thinking skills needed to navigate the digital landscape and advocate for healthier online and offline environments.

One of the most rewarding elements of this initiative was the international collaboration itself. Working alongside the incredible youth leaders from IYCTC allowed us to strengthen the cultural relevance of the initiative.

As we continue to grow our international work, this initiative stands as a model for what youth collaboration can achieve: young leaders who are ready to drive change, both at home and across the world!

Video Link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8USzQ1wpGwc

Philippines 2025 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

LA County Board of Supervisors Meeting

IYTC representatives testified in favor of the LA County Flavored Tobacco Ban that would prohibit the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol, in the unincorporated parts of LA County. The ordinance was passed on a 5-0 decision, reaching more than one million people.
Covered by Fox News and San Marino Tribune.

*In Partnership with Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and LA Families Fighting Flavored Tobacco.

Lobbying at Capitol Hill

On behalf of IYTC, founder and president Lisa Lu traveled to Washington D.C. to lobby to Senator Dianne Feinstein, Kamala Harris, and Representative Judy Chu S655 (SAFE Kids Act) and HR2339 (Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic of 2019). Back at home, the IYTC team further discussed HR2339 with Congresswoman Chu, who decided to cosponsor the bill afterward. This bill was passed in the entire House on February 28, 2020, impacting 42 million teenagers nationwide.

Talking With Chu

Discussion

Prop 31

Over four years of hard work, we finally banned the sale of flavored tobacco in California. Thank you to all the support from our team, donors, and mentors for helping us through this journey. Follow IYTC’s journey below!

2019: IYTC spoke at the State Senate press conference and hearing to pass SB38.
2020: IYTC joins Governor Gavin Newsom to discuss SB38, where he signed the bill.
2021: IYTC rallies support for the bill through legislative advocacy.
2022: Prop 31 is passed!

SB 793

On August 4th, IYTC members provided public statements in favor of SB 793 at the Assembly Health Committee hearing; this bill would ban the sale of all flavored tobacco products across California. Members ranging from 12 to 18 years old, all phoned in to advocate for this very important legislation. On August 28, IYTC reps met with Governor Gavin Newsom via Zoom to discuss the bill and witnessed its signing.

Senate Health Committee Press Conference and Hearing

IYTC members were invited by Senator Jerry Hill to Sacramento to speak at the SB 38 and SB39 press conference and hearing to ban flavored tobacco products and place stricter online regulations for purchases. The bills were passed with a unanimous decision, impacting 3.5 million adolescents.

Covered by San Marino Tribune.

Group Photo

Member Speaking

The Conference of the Parties (COP)

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.

Photos #1–3: Lisa at the conference

Photo #4: Director-General of the World Health Organization

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.

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.

Click here to read.

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.

Learn More.

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!

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.