Oklahoma High Schoolers Talk to Legislators About Youth Vaping and Obesity

NEWS RELEASE — Eleven high school students from across Oklahoma, including Luther, met with 22 state legislators at their annual Day at the Capitol to advocate for a healthier Oklahoma. As members of the Youth Action for Health Leadership (YAHL) program, which is part of the TSET Healthy Youth Initiative, the students promote a healthier Oklahoma through nutrition education and active living that is free from the harmful effects of tobacco addiction and obesity.

At the YAHL Day at the Capitol earlier this month, high school students from Classen SAS, Hennessey, Luther, Oktaha, Pryor, Purcell, Putnam City North, Stilwell, and Stonewall represented over 1,200 YAHL members from around the state.

TSET says Youth in Oklahoma face increasing threats to health as rates of vaping use rise. More than one out of five Oklahoma youth report using some form of tobacco product. Oklahoma is one of 17 states without retail licensure for e-cigarettes, and state law in Oklahoma prohibits cities and towns from regulating tobacco and vape licensure, tobacco advertising, or smoke-free indoor air.

Oklahoma also continues to have one of the highest rates of childhood obesity in the nation. While weight does not equal health, children with obesity are more likely to develop chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes, mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, lower self-esteem, and self-reported lower quality of life.

The group met with Senators Hall, Kirt, Prieto, Stanley and Woods, as well as Representatives Bennett, Boles, Culver, Dempsey, Dobrinski, George, Hardin, Hasenbeck, Johns, Munson, Pae, Roe, Sneed, Sterling, Stark, Turner and Josh West.

The students included Jordan Arnett (Putnam City North), Frankie Linker (Purcell), Neha Kale (Classen SAS), Aaliyah Larson (Stilwell), Audrina Baker (Classen SAS), and Mia Vizueth (Stilwell), Treasure Carrell (Stonewall), Addison Null-Kelly (Hennessey), Olivia Shackelford (Oktaha), Carli Thomas (Pryor), and Boomer Pridemore (Luther).

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