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Youth advocates press Mesilla trustees to back restrictions on flavored nicotine
Summary
Local youth and campaign organizers told the Mesilla Board of Trustees that flavored nicotine products are driving youth vaping and asked officials to sign support cards and back state-level restrictions; trustees agreed to circulate support materials to legislators.
Andrea McNeely, campaign manager for the No Minor Sale effort, and Diego Romero, a youth advocate and student at New Mexico State University, urged the Mesilla Board of Trustees on Oct. 27 to help reduce youth access to flavored nicotine products.
"Youth are being targeted with these products," McNeely said, introducing Romero, who described predatory marketing and showed campaign materials that contrast colorful product advertising with packaging for nicotine products. Romero cited the 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey and told trustees that among youth who vape, roughly 88% reported using flavored e-cigarettes.
The presenters said the campaign (which works with statewide youth group Evolvement) seeks to build local support that can be taken to state legislators rather than pursue immediate municipal regulation. Romero asked trustees to sign digital support cards and to forward those endorsements to lawmakers ahead of the 2026 legislative session.
Trustees asked whether the effort is focused on state or national legislation; campaign representatives said they are prioritizing state-level change while beginning with local outreach. Mayor Matthews and staff asked the presenters to deliver the support-card links to staff member Gloria so the town can circulate them to elected officials.
Why it matters: Trustees said they want to support programs that protect youth and welcomed information from the presenters, noting local endorsement can strengthen state advocacy. The issue ties to public-health and equity concerns raised in the presentation — including the role of menthol in targeting specific populations.
What’s next: Presenters said they will continue outreach to legislators and asked the board to make the support-card links available to staff. The board did not take regulatory action during the meeting.
