San Mateo County Students Attend Teens Tackle Tobacco Conference

More than 125 middle and high school student peer leaders from San Mateo County attended the 2026 Bay Area Teens Tackle Tobacco (TTT) Conference, an annual youth-led event focused on preventing youth tobacco, vaping, and cannabis use. Supported by the San Mateo County Office of Education's TUPE+ program in partnership with districts and school site leaders, these students attended the conference to strengthen their leadership skills and advance youth-led tobacco prevention efforts.

TUPE peer leaders represent youth who are disproportionately impacted by health disparities and targeted tobacco industry marketing. Through an equity-centered approach, their voices are intentionally elevated as agents of change, helping to inform prevention strategies, strengthen positive school climates, and advance youth-driven solutions to substance misuse.

San Mateo County students also contributed directly to the conference program. El Camino High School students led two workshops on healthy communication, sharing strategies that strengthen protective factors, build positive peer relationships, and help reduce the risk of substance misuse among youth.

The conference — which brought together more than 700 attendees from across the Bay Area —was coordinated by Region 4 County Offices of Education in partnership with the CourAGE Youth Health Coalition and featured youth leadership throughout the event. Held over two days, one day for middle school leaders and the other for high school, the conference brought together more than 700 attendees from across the Bay Area and offered 48 workshops, the majority of which were youth-led, highlighting the power, expertise, and creativity of young people committed to building a tobacco-free future.