Kids to help state in anti-tobacco plan

Iowa teenagers are urged to join in the action against big tobacco. A youth summit is scheduled for late July at Simpson College in Indianola. Iowa Department of Public Health Director Stephen Gleason says teen leaders will help chart the course for the state-run anti-tobacco campaign. He says they’re selecting young people from across the state to participate.Gleason is already planning next year’s Youth Summit on Tobacco — and talking with popular bands about performing. ‘N Sinc performed at a Youth Summit in Florida, but Gleason won’t say whether it’s one of the groups under consideration for Iowa’s 2001 summit.Former Drake University women’s basketball star Tammi Blackstone now works for the state as a youth tobacco consultant — and she’s accepting the applications from kids who want to attend the summit.Students interested in attending the summit can contact their high school for the application, or it can be found on the Internet through the Iowa Department of Public Health. Today, by the way, is “World No Tobacco Day.”