Breanna Cutright
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
2026 Barrie Fiske National Youth Advocate of the Year
Clarksburg, West Virginia
Breanna Cutright began her advocacy journey in middle school, driven by growing alarm about widespread e-cigarette use among her peers. Her advocacy was also deeply personal as she encouraged and supported her grandfather as he quit smoking, shaping her belief in the power of individual voices.
As an ambassador for Raze, West Virginia’s youth-led tobacco prevention program, Breanna educated peers about the risks of vaping and other tobacco use and supported prevention efforts across West Virginia – challenging work in a state with high rates of tobacco use. Breanna also served as a National Youth Ambassador for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kid, honing her leadership, media and policy advocacy skills.
When federal funding cuts led to the closure of Raze in 2025, Breanna helped lead West Virginia youth advocates in rising to the challenge. She was featured in national and state media coverage about the devastating impact of the cuts and authored an op-ed in West Virginia’s largest newspaper.
At the federal level, Breanna spoke at a congressional briefing and met with U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, chair of the Senate appropriations subcommittee that funds health programs, to advocate for funding.
At the state level, Breanna played a leading role in advocating for tobacco prevention funding. She met with state lawmakers, trained fellow youth advocates, helped lead a statewide youth rally, and was widely quoted by the media. These efforts contributed to the enactment of state legislation that allocated $2.9 million of West Virginia’s Juul settlement funds to tobacco prevention programs.
Now a high school senior, Breanna is committed to supporting the next generation of youth advocates and ensuring young people have the information and resources to lead healthy lives.