Our Chairs
Alex Mellor
Alex is the Head of Operations at the Nicotine and Cannabis Policy Center at UC Merced. He brings expertise in policy, and supporting community health efforts around nicotine and cannabis.
Sam Yniguez
Sam is in his second term as chair of the ACCT coalition. He cares deeply about the health of Merced where he has lived his whole life. Sam works at UC Merced where he is the Director of Public Relations.
Our goals
Reduce Youth Access to Tobacco
Create a local policy that requires stores to have a Tobacco Retail License and stops them from selling flavored tobacco products, making it harder for young people to get them.
Protect Parks and Outdoor Spaces
Make parks, trails, outdoor dining areas, and other public spaces smoke-free to protect people from secondhand smoke and reduce litter from tobacco products.
Limit Sales Near Schools and Youth
Ban the sale of flavored tobacco products, including menthol, within 1,000 feet of schools and places where youth spend time.
Subcommittees:
AKA, how we achieve our goals (You!)
Tobacco Retail License (TRL) & Flavored Tobacco: This group works to make it harder for tobacco companies to target our communities. We support rules that limit or ban flavored tobacco (like menthol), require stores to have a license to sell tobacco, and make sure laws are enforced fairly without targeting or punishing individuals.
Clearing the Air: This group focuses on making outdoor public spaces in Los Baños completely smoke-free. That means no smoking in parks, trails, or other shared spaces, helping everyone breathe cleaner air.
Media Committee: This group runs our social media and spreads the word about our work. They create posts, share important updates, and promote resources to help people learn about tobacco prevention and quitting.
Youth health advocates
Youth Health Advocates is a youth coalition preventing life-long disease by promoting healthy habits and shaping healthier communities, speaking up to reduce tobacco-related illness and early death.
Don’t Just Scroll. Get Involved!
Open to ages 13–18, no experience needed, just bring your energy.
