One of the unique features on the home page of the No Minor Sale website is an interactive map. This map allows visitors to choose why they support No Minor Sale and leave a pin on our map based on their zip code. They can select one of our pre-given reasons or choose to write their own reasons. Others who visit the map will be able to hover over anyone’s pin to see their reason for supporting the campaign.

Many people, understandably, support No Minor Sale because, “It’s protecting children.” That’s what our campaign is all about.

But there are also some other heart-felt messages why No Minor Sale matters. Here are some examples:

• “Devastating health effects.” – Denise
• “Most, if not all, commercial tobacco is poison.” – Abe
• “Tobacco affected people I care about.” – Tiffany
• “I want to make a difference.” – Kendrick

All of these reasons are valid and appreciated. Tobacco use goes way beyond the user – it affects the user’s family and friends as well.

Why do you support No Minor Sale? We want to know your reason. Put a pin our interactive map and help us continue to spread the message that even one illegal tobacco sale to a minor is too many.

Hello! My name is Lea, and I am sophomore from V. Sue Cleveland High School in Rio Rancho, NM. I have been involved with Evolvement since my freshman year. As an Evolvement advocate, I have been educated on the harmful effects of tobacco, and I have had the opportunity to go into my community to convey the message through different campaign events for both the No Minor Sale campaign and the 24/7 campaign.

One event I participated in was the Fiery Foods Festival at Sandia Resort and Casino in Albuquerque on March 2-4. For this event, Evolvement had a booth set up in the ballroom to inform incoming people about the No Minor Sale campaign. No Minor Sale informs people about illegal tobacco sales to minors under the age of 18, including the many reasons why they are still happening and what we can do to solve the problem. Tobacco use begins at an early age for many, and with the No Minor Sale campaign we can reach out to individuals to terminate this growing epidemic. To enlighten New Mexicans on this negative situation, No Minor Sale conducts surveys to collect data on people’s prior knowledge of and opinions on illegal tobacco sales to minors. It also offers support cards for people who want to share their personal experiences.

Evolvers successfully collected nearly 300 surveys and 22 support cards during the Fiery Foods Festival. During the event, I was able to hear several stories from people about their experiences. This included an emotional account from a young lady who shared her situation of living with a father who smoked, resulting his passing away early. She spoke of her desire to spend more time with him and her wish to have ended his smoking habit. Stories like this this really touch on the reasoning behind wanting to prevent young people from becoming addicted to tobacco products.

Listening to personal testimonies makes it clear as to why campaigns like No Minor Sale are necessary. When attending community events, there are such diverse crowds with a variety of stories to be told. That is reason alone to be passionate about ending tobacco abuse. I believe the misfortune of lives lost due to tobacco can be prevented through this campaign. The youth have the potential to advocate and influence change, and can participate in community events. I have personally taken the opportunity to do so, and I hope to encourage others to become engaged as well.

If you’re a member of the community interested in getting involved, you can come stop by a No Minor Sale event near you, or get active here.

Thank you, everyone, for supporting No Minor Sale! Since August 2017, No Minor Sale has participated in 12 events in 10 cities throughout New Mexico and has collected over 2,000 surveys and support cards. Now, we are presenting at a variety of family-friendly festivals and celebrations to continue spreading the word.

Some of our events are spearheaded by our committed youth leaders from Evolvement, the Department of Health’s statewide youth-led movement, and others are staffed by engaged members of local communities.

Our event schedule keeps growing, which is exciting as we continue to raise awareness and create urgency around the issue of illegal tobacco sales to minors in our state. Come be a part of the movement of No Minor Sale and visit us at any of the upcoming events!

March 2018

• 3/2-4: *30th Annual National Fiery Foods and BBQ Show, Sandia Resort and Casino, Albuquerque
• 3/10: *Arte y Cantos, La Plazita Institute, Albuquerque
• 3/16: *13th Annual Health & Wellness Fair, Daniel Fernandez Youth Center, Los Lunas
• 3/17-18: Mountain Living Home & Garden Show, Ruidoso Convention Center, Ruidoso
• 3/21: *Partner Presentation, Fierce Pride, LGBTQ Center at UNM, Albuquerque (TENTATIVE)

April 2018

• 4/4: Partner Presentation, Taos Milagro Rotary Club, El Camino Lodge, Taos
• 4/7-8: Home, Garden & Lifestyle Show, Clovis Civic Center, Clovis
• 4/17-18: *Head 2 Toe Conference, Albuquerque Convention Center, Albuquerque
• 4/27-28: *Gathering of Nations, Expo New Mexico, Albuquerque

May 2018

• 5/25-27: *Silver City Blues Festival, Gough Park, Silver City

June 2018

• 6/1: *KidFest 2018, McGee Park, Farmington
• 6/9: Cavernfest, Courthouse Lawn, Carlsbad (TENTATIVE)

* = Evolvement-youth led event 

If you’re a member of the community interested in getting involved, you can come stop by a No Minor Sale event near you, or get active here.

Do you have a New Year’s resolution? For No Minor Sale, it’s simple: get everyone in New Mexico excited to keep kids safe from tobacco by ending illegal tobacco sales to minors. Not sure if that’s for you? Check out some of the reasons people support the campaign from across the state:

• “I support No Minor Sale because I started smoking at 13 because it’s really easy to get tobacco at some of the stores here.” 
  - Sophomore, New Mexico Public Schools
• “I am a 20 year smoker, I began smoking at the age of 14. I cannot say whether this was the gateway to addiction for me in my life, but eventually I had a drug and alcohol addiction. Although I am drug and alcohol free now, I still have not been able to quit smoking.” 
  - Blake, Anthony
• “My dad started chewing tobacco and smoking when he was 16…and already has early signs of lung cancer. I don’t want to see other kids wind up like my dad…I want today’s generation to make it past 60 to live a healthy life and not let tobacco take control of their life.” 
  - Katy, Las Cruces
• “No student should be able to get tobacco as they have enough to do in their lives!” 
  - Don, Albuquerque

What’s your reason for supporting No Minor Sale? Share it on our interactive map, and let people on your social networks know how important this issue is to New Mexico.

No Minor Sale has begun Partner Presentations, an exciting educational extension into the community.

Through Partner Presentations, we present a 20-minute program about No Minor Sale to community and civic groups, answer questions, collect support cards, and request the organization to officially sign on as a community partner.

To date, we have presented to two outstanding organizations – The Sunrise Lions Club in Las Cruces and the San Juan Rotary Club in Farmington, which also led to an opportunity for No Minor Sale to speak on Vertical Radio’s (88.9 FM) “Four Corners Spotlight” program. Each experience presenting has been a unique opportunity to get to know New Mexican communities and educate them about the campaign. The feedback from these groups has been overwhelmingly positive.

We are seeking more Partner Presentation opportunities throughout New Mexico.

Do you have a group you think would benefit from learning more about No Minor Sale? If so, we want to come speak to them! Contact Campaign Manager Maria Grundy at maria@nominorsale.com to learn more.