A group of Utah County teenagers' efforts to reduce outdoor smoking is taking them to Washington, D.C.
Outrage, an anti-tobacco group sponsored by the Utah County Health Department, won the President's Environmental Youth Award for its support of a smoking ban in parks and outdoor public gatherings.
Jen Tischler, the county's tobacco prevention coordinator and Outrage's adviser, nominated the group but was surprised when she learned they won.
"When they called, I thought they were asking for more information," Tischler said. She said the group scored 98 out of 100 points in the judging.
Outrage's members collected signatures from thousands of residents supporting a smoking ban in parks, made presentations to the Board of Health and city councils, and even collected thousands of cigarette butts from parks to illustrate the problem.
Because of Outrage, the county adopted a regulation banning smoking in all parks, except in cities where there is already a smoking ordinance in place.
Logan Jones, an Outrage member from Springville, is excited about winning the award and going to Washington.
Outrage is raising money to send five members to the award ceremony.
The group plans a yard sale March 21, and people can send donations to the American Cancer Society's Salt Lake City office. Tischler said to make sure those donations are for the Outrage Restricted Fund.
Send donations to The American Cancer Society, 941 E. 3300 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84106. Or call 801-493-4700 to use a credit card. When you donate, indicate that it is for Outrage.
