We know you aren't sheep.  That's obvious to us. That's not how the tobacco industry sees you.  They see you as stupid youth willing to do anything to fit in.  No, really...they said that. 

This is why you need to get the word out about the tobacco industry and fight with FACT. Visit FACT's re-vamped Facebook page, become a fan and check out all of the ways to spread this message while having the chance to WIN A FREE IPOD!

Two members of La Crosse County FACT, Emma McConahay and Laura Oldenburg,  spoke

with authorities during a Health and Human Service Committee Board Meeting on the subject of Practice and People of Health Education.  

The young women shared how FACT has impacted them personally, and on their community service. 

Emma and Laura created a 10-minute powerpoint presentation that highlighted events that have allowed them to serve as leaders in the community, media spokespersons, grant writers, organizers, educators of local, state, and federal legislators, trainers, and mobilizers.

One board member later wrote, “Thanks so much.  Those two young ladies were impressive!”

FACT youth get an early start on raising awareness of smoke-free air implementation.  Read the Online Article:   

“Only 245 days till Wisconsin goes smoke-free!” That's what was on the calendar on November 2 in Oshkosh West Health teacher Tony Geharz's room and on five other “Countdown to Smoke-Free Air “calendars throughout Oshkosh West and the Oshkosh School District Office.

FACT members gathered outside of the State Capitol Building for the “Sweet Addiction – Flavor is Not Our Future" rally at the 5th National Summit on Smokeless & Spit Tobacco.

At the rally, FACT members teamed up with public health organizations, state health departments, and other youth across the nation to raise awareness about how the tobacco industry uses candy flavored products to target youth.

The demonstration included educational activities to inform the public about new and emerging tobacco products. The activities allowed the general public, conference registrants and news media to ask questions, engage in hands-on activities and see firsthand how flavored products lure in potential new customers.

The La Crosse FACT group wastest no time getting into gear this school year.  The youth created a human billboard in downtown La Crosse in support of the new cigarette tax in Wisconsin. 

Check out the online article and video interview with FACT youth! 

FACT recently won a national advertising award for a 2008 public service campaign that trained and deployed FACT members to counter national tobacco industry advertising. 

The program won a “Silver Addy” in the Public Service/Mixed Media category for its “FACT Activism Kit” at the American Advertising Federation Awards.  The Activism Kit was one component of the FACT “They Killed 8000” media campaign. 

The campaign highlights “8000”— the annual number of Wisconsin citizens who die from tobacco-related illness.  The campaign included TV and Myspace advertising, as well as the Activism Kit.  The campaign’s TV ad, recognized at the local and regional level, depicts a fictional Wisconsin town of 8,000 wiped out by tobacco.  Five FACT members from throughout the state appeared in the commercial.  More than 100 FACT activities took place statewide as part of the campaign. 

To view the campaign’s TV ad, visit http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/tobacco/Campaign.htm.

The Franklin FACT group got a round of applause as they glided through their community's 4th of July parade. 

The youth designed a float in celebration of the smoke-free law that will go into effect July 5, 2010. 

FACT Advisor Kathy Hahn said, "It was great to have people applaud our float and the theme!  We heard comments like, “It’s about time!” “You have a lot of friends!”  “Thank You – Good Job”.

The group also handed out FACT buttons, and "I Love Smoke-Free WI" buttons to TV anchor Lance Allen, Franklin Senior representatives, and School Board members who were in the parade.

Ellsworth FACT showed up in full force in their community's Cheese Curd Festival Parade on June 28th.  The group held up signage that read "Counting Down to Clean Air," including a FACT banner to spread the word about their fight against corporate tobacco!

The LGBT FACT group in Milwaukee got 150 intakes on new youth and reached nearly 700 people at its Fashion Show at PrideFest.  The audience saw their Stop Secondhand Smoke chalking, and was encouraged to put out their cigarettes. Attendees filled out small FACT building blocks, sprayed t-shirts, picked up FACT literature, and talked to Youth Leaders about the importance of fighting corporate tobacco and Big Tobacco’s target of LGBT people.

FACT has selected 13 new members to its Youth Board of Directors.  The selected youth will serve on the board for the 2009-10 campaign year making decisions on the direction of the movement.

Board members were selected based on their leadership skills, FACT activity and dedication to reducing the burden of tobacco use among teens in WI.

The 2009-2010 FACT Youth Board of Directors include: Tiana Ferrick - St. Croix Co.; Mariah Gatzow - Florence Co.; Jessica Girgen - Pierce Co.; Bryce Kerscher - Florence Co.; Drew Lichon - Brown Co.; Mercedes Marcouex - Wood Co.; Jordy McKay - La Crosse Co.; Terrece Oldenburg - Rock Co.; Kyle Picha - Crawford Co.; Luz Renteria - Rock Co.; Summer Robinson - Brown Co.; Carrie Staats - Milwaukee Co.; Anna Vang - Brown Co.