How do I Write Advocacy Letters About Teenage Smoking?

As someone who cares about the issues of teenage smoking, an advocacy letter can present your thoughts and concerns effectively and succinctly to elected officials, or members of the community. The letter need not be lengthy to get your point across. Taking time to carefully construct a letter highlighting the most important aspects of your concern can go a long way to bring attention to teenage smoking.

Instructions

• 1

  Research the officials and organizations you will be sending your letter to. Gather addresses and look into the issues they already support. This can help tailor each letter to the individual and show your knowledge of their record. If you want to find your State Representative, search for "Representative" and your zip code or "Senator" and your State.

• 2

  Address the letter to the official or organization. Start with your name on the first line, then add your address and telephone number on the lines below. Two lines below these, add the address of the lawmaker. Start with their name. Use "Honorable ______," if sending it to an official, or the full club or organization name if sending to a group. Add the reason for your letter below the name, i.e. "Re: Teenage Smoking Advocacy." Complete their address block with the full street address on the following lines. Skip two lines again and begin the letter with the title of the official, "Dear Senator/Representative ______," or the group's full name, "Dear ______,"

• 3

  In a few paragraphs to a page, write the reasons you believe teenage smoking is dangerous and what steps you would like your official to take to help prevent it. This is where it is helpful to be familiar with the official's voting record. Mention other stands the official has taken that compliment teenage anti-smoking motions. Explain why this advocacy is important to you and what you hope to obtain by writing this letter.

• 4

  Close the letter with "Sincerely," or "Respectfully," on its own line, then skip two lines and add your full name on its own line. You can sign your signature in the space between the closing and your printed name.

• 5

  Re-read the letter for errors and typos and have a second person review it to catch any errors. Mail your letter to the official or group.