International Youth Tobacco Control

Overview

International Youth Tobacco Control (IYTC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing teenage tobacco use globally. Composed of over 200 middle, high school, and college students across multiple countries including Canada, China, Japan, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and the United States, IYTC aims to bridge social inequalities in legislation and education related to teenage smoking[1][3].

Mission and Vision

• Mission: To address the disparities in laws and educational resources concerning teenage smoking worldwide.
• Vision: To create the first Tobacco-Free Generation[1][5].

Impact

IYTC has achieved significant impact by spreading awareness to over 120,000 youths and legislatively influencing 57 million adolescents[1]. The organization's efforts are crucial in a context where tobacco use remains a major public health concern, particularly among young people.

Leadership and Structure

Lisa Lu is a key figure associated with IYTC, having founded the organization in 2016. She also received recognition as a Youth Advocate of the Year for her contributions to global tobacco control[3]. The board of IYTC includes diverse leadership with members such as Lisa Lu, Franklin Cheng, Kimia Hassabi, Aristotle Zheng, Chelsea Cheng, and Ryan Qu[5].

Operations and Funding

IYTC is financially supported primarily through donations, with contributions making up a significant portion of its revenue[4]. As a nonprofit, it accepts no government or tobacco industry funding, ensuring its independence in advocating for tobacco control measures[3].

Activities

The organization focuses on awareness and advocacy, working closely with young people to address tobacco use issues worldwide. This includes efforts to influence policy and educate communities about the dangers of tobacco consumption among youth.

Recognition

Lisa Lu's work with IYTC has been recognized internationally, reflecting the organization's impact on global tobacco control efforts[3].

[1] https://www.iytc.org/about [2] https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/what-we-do/youth-programs [3] https://25years.tobaccofreekids.org/profiles/profile-04.html [4] https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/831488233 [5] https://www.guidestar.org/profile/83-1488233