Problem/Objective: Providing meaningful opportunities for local tobacco control agencies and youth advocates requires strong youth-adult partnerships and a unique approach to statewide organizing. Individuals and agencies collaborating on statewide youth advocacy campaigns will understand a multifaceted approach to statewide coordination.

Methods: With ten years of experience, the California Youth Advocacy Network (CYAN) and its statewide youth board of directors have created an ambitious menu of youth-driven campaigns and activities. This menu aims to prevent tobacco use by reducing youth access and raising awareness of industry manipulation, two issues that foster youth passion, energy and dedication towards tobacco-control. Partnering with California's advocates CYAN has developed statewide campaigns such as Tobacco and Hollywood and Tobacco Retail Licensing. These campaigns provide groups with local advocacy activities and the ability to generate change on a larger scale. In addition, CYAN has developed FUSION, a youth-led movement providing an arena for a collective youth voice that raises awareness about tobacco issues. Fusion hosts both state and local days of action including the one-day statewide event, Youth Quest – a rally, press conference, and legislative education day at the state capitol.

Results: Youth advocacy coalitions and local tobacco control agencies regularly participate in statewide campaigns and trainings sponsored by CYAN and the youth board of directors. Over 400 participants are expected at the 2007 Youth Quest event in March.

Conclusions: By providing multiple opportunities for involvement, CYAN is able to provide the tools necessary to develop and promote youth involvement throughout all levels of California's tobacco-control movement.