Every day, young people in our communities pass stores and advertisements promoting products that are proven to harm their health. These messages are not placed randomly. They are often concentrated in the very spaces where youth spend their time, including near schools, parks, and recreation areas meant to support their growth and well-being.
Research shows that when harmful products are more accessible and more visible in a young person’s daily environment, the likelihood of use increases. Repeated exposure and easy access can make these products feel normal, reducing perceived risk and increasing the chance of early experimentation.
In some Texas communities, students walk past stores selling harmful products just steps from their schools—not because it has to be that way, but because no rule prevents it.
Texas law allows local governments to create distance protections, but does not require them. As a result, safeguards vary widely from one city to another, leaving many youth without consistent protection based on where they live.
This is not just about advertising. It is about access, influence, and the environments we allow our children to grow up in.
Change is possible. Communities across the country have used local zoning and policy solutions to reduce youth access and create safer, healthier spaces. But those changes only happen when people speak up, get involved, and demand better.
Protecting youth starts with awareness, grows through advocacy, and becomes real through action. Your support helps make that change possible.