Youth Advocates Rally for Tobacco-Free Future at CSN West Charleston Campus

LAS VEGAS, NV — The push for healthier higher-education environments in Southern Nevada reaches a critical milestone on Tuesday, April 28, as local students and health officials convene at the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) to advocate for a 100% tobacco-free campus policy.

The Event: ‘CSN, The Time is Now’

The outreach event, titled “CSN, The Time is Now,” is a collaboration between the Southern Nevada Health District’s (SNHD) Tobacco Control Program and the SPARK Youth Advisory Council. From 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, high school and college-aged advocates will be stationed at the West Charleston campus to engage peers, faculty, and staff in dialogue regarding the benefits of a tobacco-free lifestyle and learning environment.

Youth Voices in the Spotlight

A centerpiece of tommorow’s rally is a massive photo collage representing the voices of nearly 2,000 Clark County School District (CCSD) students.

The Project: As part of their SPARK Spring Project, students captured images of their peers holding message boards that express widespread support for eliminating tobacco and vaping products from campus life.
The Message: Advocates are pushing for a policy that would prohibit all forms of tobacco—including vapes and smokeless products—on all indoor and outdoor campus property, parking lots, and sidewalks.

A Growing Regional Shift

CSN remains one of the few major institutions in Southern Nevada yet to adopt a comprehensive tobacco-free policy. The event aims to align the college with neighbors like UNLV, UNR, and Nevada State University, the latter of which officially went tobacco-free in August 2025.

Health officials emphasize that such policies not only protect non-smokers from secondhand exposure but also provide a crucial environment of support for those attempting to quit by removing daily triggers.

Source: Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) Press Bureau, CSN Campus Life.