Mind The Gap: College Advocacy Project
Breathe
California is seeking volunteers for its "Mind the Gap": College
Advocacy Project for college students (18-24) program· targeting
seven colleges within Santa Clara County.
Why do we call our program "Mind the Gap"?
"Mind the Gap" is an announcement that all travelers on the London subway hear at each stop, which cautions them not to fall into the gap between the car and the platform when they disembark. Students ages 18-24 are at risk of falling into the "gaps" between tobacco control programming unless tobacco control advocates watch their step.
Because it has been established that over 90% of adult smokers began smoking in their teens, most tobacco control programming has concentrated on early prevention programs, usually at junior high and high school, and more recently elementary school. At the opposite end of the spectrum has been cessation programming, which has usually been embraced more frequently by older adults who have been smoking for many years. Little prevention or cessation help has been available for young adults, particularly for 18-24 year olds. More importantly, tobacco companies have begun targeting this age group.
Why join "Mind the Gap"?
The benefits of a smoke-free college are:
- Protection from environmental tobacco smoke
- Limiting the visibility and accessibility of cigarettes
This advocacy project will attempt to eliminate some of these environmental influences to change community norms at targeted colleges to be less tobacco friendly. We will counter tobacco's influence and move toward tobacco free campuses.
Learn about volunteer opportunities with Mind the Gap.