Fargo Cass Public Health (FCPH) will host the eighth annual Break Free Youth Action Summit on Wednesday, October 7. The event is organized and supported by a partnership between FCPH and Tobacco Free North Dakota and is offered at no cost to participants.
The Youth Action Summit provides a unique opportunity for youth advocates to demonstrate their passion and commitment in helping create the next nicotine-free generation. The summit will give students tools and resources to use their voice and advocate for change. Speakers this year are Ignacio Burgos, Youth & Young Adult Program Manager, and Kristy Packer, Youth Training Coordinator, both from the California Youth Advocacy Network (CYAN). Ignacio and Kristy will share their knowledge and experience of working with youth to turn their ideas into meaningful action. Attendees will learn the foundational principles of leadership and how to advocate for themselves and their communities in support of tobacco and nicotine prevention initiatives.
Doreen Odera, FCPH Community Health Educator, says, “We are excited to host the eighth annual Fargo Youth Action Summit. The talented professionals at CYAN have made a huge impact in the tobacco prevention space, and we look forward to providing students with a new and innovative way to learn about the role they can play advocating for a healthier tomorrow. Tobacco prevention is vital in our communities, and attending the summit gives students the tools they need to take action, not just for their own life, but for a healthier community.”
Youth continue to be impacted by nicotine products. Although there has been a significant decrease in youth smoking rates in recent years, current nicotine product use remains high. According to the 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, current use of any tobacco or nicotine product among North Dakota high school students is 17%, and among middle school students is 7%. Additionally, a new type of nicotine is growing in popularity among North Dakota high school students. Smokeless tobacco use has more than doubled, from 3% in 2023 to 7% in 2025, according to the survey. This increase can largely be attributed to the rise in popularity and use of nicotine pouches, which are made with flavors targeting youth.
In the weeks and months following the summit, attending students will work with their peers to create activities for the Great American Smoke Out (November 19, 2026), Great American Spit Out (February 18, 2027) and World No Tobacco Day (May 31, 2027).
Quick facts:
• The summit will take place at the Avalon Events Center in Fargo, 2525 9th Avenue South, Fargo
• More information is available here: TFND.org/Youth-Action-Summit