School Board Supports YLC Proposal

For Statewide Ban on the Sale of Flavored Tobacco Products

January 9, 2024 - LAKE OSWEGO SCHOOL DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION BUILDING

Equipped with the recent endorsement of the Lake Oswego City Council, Anders Erdenberger, Auveen Shafaei, Mira Garcia, and Drishti Singh brought the Youth Leadership Council's case to the School Board.

"I might get choked up...I have spent the larger part of my professional career doing exactly what you're doing, working for the State Public Health Department in the Tobacco Prevention program... It is phenomenal and it is heartbreaking, and I'm looking to my colleagues, that this is the conversation that we are still having because [tobacco use] is the number one leading cause of preventable death in this country." - Director Kristen Aird

"This issue is something that touches me personally.  I applaud the work, and yet again, I don't know why I continue to be surprised, but I am so impressed by our youth -- their foresight, their passion, their energy, and their commitment -- and I appreciate this great work. - Chair Brian Bills

Anders, Auveen, Mira, and Drishti pointed to the increase in youth usage of flavored tobacco products, both nationally and in LOSD, as a motivator for action.  Acknowledging the overwhelming scale of the challenge for local leaders, and the limited viability of regional regulation, they invited members of the School Board to join their letter calling for statewide action.

"We recognize there is an effort from teachers and staff to curb these problems, but we continue to see it on social media and among our peers because it is simply too big of a challenge for the City or the District to address on their own." - Auveen Shafaei

"We will not change behavior in our classrooms, we cannot educate you all enough, if our environment around us does not change.  What I really appreciate about you coming forward, in partnership with the City, is that we all have different roles, and this is really important, to change the environment, to get to the outcomes that we want. - Director Kristen Aird

The School Board Directors voted unanimously to join the Youth Leadership Council and City Council, bolstering a community-wide coalition supporting restrictive action on the sale of flavored tobacco products.  Youth Leadership Council members will hand-deliver their joint letter to Senate President Rob Wagner during a trip to Salem in early February.

Read the full-text letter here.

Watch a recording of the YLC presentation at the LOSD meeting here.