Our Mission: Address the tobacco product waste issue and negative health impacts the tobacco industry has on rural communities
Tobacco Waste Facts
Cigarette butts are the most littered item in the world with an estimated 4.5 trillion deposited into our environment every year.
California spends $41 million annually on waste clean up. Cigarette butts make up 37 percent of the total waste collected in California.
Tobacco waste is toxic waste that leaches toxic chemicals into our environment including lead, arsenic and nicotine.
Negative Impacts of Tobacco
The use of tobacco products can cause cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
The tobacco industry often targets vulnerable communities, such as rural areas, low-income communities, youth, people of color, and the LGBTQ+ community.
According to the CDC, people living in rural communities have 18 to 20 percent higher rates of lung cancer than people living in urban areas. Adolescents in rural areas also begin smoking cigarettes at an earlier age and are more likely to be daily smokers than their peers in other areas.
What it means to be a member of YAFT
Serving your community
YAFT members work with rural communities in California to address the negative impacts generated by the tobacco industry. We do this by leading cleanups, spreading awareness through education, and promoting policy change.
Responsibilities of a YAFT member
YAFT members attend monthly meetings to discuss current updates and projects. YAFT members also have the opportunity to join the YAFT education or policy subcommittees to work more closely on projects. YAFT members are always responsible for spreading awareness about this important issue.
Becoming a member of a team
YAFT members not only get the opportunity to work as a leader in their community, but also get to work as a team with other YAFT members and local organizations to fight against Big Tobacco. As a member of the YAFT team, you will be able to join in team-building exercises, such as trainings, game nights, and in-person gatherings.
The Young Adults Fighting Tobacco coalition was established in 2019 with the mission to allow young adults to tell their stories and empower them to fight against the tobacco industry within their rural communities. Today, our members can be found within many counties of the Gold Country region of California and continue to work with these communities to address the tobacco waste and health epidemic.