Boston Area Tobacco Control Coalition
























 


The Boston Area Youth Tobacco Action Group (BAYTAG) consists of youth leaders in Boston, Cambridge, Chelsea, Revere, Somerville and Winthrop. These young people involve local youth and youth groups in activities that lead to positive social change in our communities. These activities teach the concepts behind civic action and empower middle and high school students with advocacy skills and information. The work done by BAYTAG helps define a youth-based statewide grassroots movement in the fight against the tobacco industry.

Download an 8 ½ X 11 poster of BAYTAG's logo.

Hear "Protect Your Family, Protect Yourself, Tobacco Kills" a dramatic audio-skit written and performed by teens in Youth Action Alliances at Dimock Community Health Center, Whittier Street Health Center, The Home for Little Wanderers, and Sociedad Latina, Inc. Download mp3 file (2.8MB)

Some of BAYTAG's projects include:

  • The newest project called Street SCOPE: Teens Taking Action Against Tobacco Advertising was launched in May 2001. The project examines the strategies of tobacco advertising in school areas and advocates for changes in the existing practices.

  • Smoke-free Walk 'N Jam. On June 3, 2000, more than 200 peer leaders from all over Massachusetts joined together with BAYTAG and special guest Celtic Team Captain Antoine Walker for a 2-mile walk during which youth presented anti-tobacco messages and distributed information on tobacco control to people in the Boston area.

  • World No Tobacco Day 2000. On May 31, 2000, 150 peer leaders and adults spent a day at Fenway Park, one of the only three smoke-free stadiums in the country. A tobacco-free message from BAYTAG was broadcast on the park's teletron screen and the Pedro Martinez anti-tobacco public service announcement was played to a full stadium of spectators.

  • Less Signs, More Lives (1999). Building on the Operation Storefront project (see description below), BAYTAG members worked to convince local convenience stores to remove tobacco ads from exterior windows and walls. In return, the members of BAYTAG provided several kinds of community service, such as cleaning or painting the store front.

  • Operation Storefront (1998). BAYTAG's teen leaders participated in a statewide project surveying the number and location of tobacco ads in storefronts. The results highlighted that there are more ads in minority communities in inner cities and also in stores located within 1000 feet of a school (4).
If you are a young person who wants to make your voice heard with BAYTAG, or for more information about BAYTAG, contact the BAYTAG coordinator at 617-423-4337.