A decidedly different crowd filled the Modesto City Council Chambers Thursday night.

An audience of some 60 middle and high school students came to be a part of the first Teen Town Hall. The only adults present were an attentive panel of government officials up front and a scattering of silent parents in back.

"My goal is to show adults how valuable and important it is to listen to young people," said Joyce Christensen, who organizes the town halls through Sacramento-based Children's Media Forum.

The event was a chance for teen-agers to vent their views on tobacco issues while the grownups sucked it all in. Sponsored by the Health Services Agency Tobacco Education Program and Media Forum, event panelists included Mayor Dick Lang, Supervisor Pat Paul and District Attorney James Brazelton.

Three teen hosts worked the room asking questions and raising topics for discussion.

"Say all tobacco products were made illegal? What would be your opinion," asked host Brian Boozer, a Beyer freshman.

Some agreed it would be beneficial to make tobacco use criminal. But most said it wouldn't help, and might even hurt.

"Just like prohibition, it would make it more popular," said Valerie Rozycki, a Modesto High sophomore.

Even now that tobacco is illegal for people under 18, teen-agers said getting cigarettes is no problem. An older friend, sibling or relative will purchase a pack when asked. Other times, simply hanging outside stores and asking a stranger works.

"I'm sure I could go to any liquor store downtown and in five minutes get as many as I wanted," said Kelley Kerr, a Davis sophomore.

The teens questioned why current tobacco laws weren't being strictly enforced. Boozer, a former smoker, said he would light up right in front of police officers with no reaction.

"Guilty," responded Assistant Sheriff Richard Breshears. "It's unfortunate. We are a society of laws; not all laws which we can enforce."

He said law enforcement is more likely to crack down on the providers and people who allow smoking in nonsmoking establishments. A citation for underage smoking is $75; for selling to a minor it is $250.

There was also back-and-forth discussion on who was to blame for tobacco's popularity. Most said it was a personal choice and people should only blame themselves when they become sick.

Still, the tobacco companies were chastised for the slick appeal of their advertising.

"(Tobacco companies) know they are putting products on the market that will kill people," said Anne Sidwell, a Beyer freshman. "But they don't put ads on with people with bad effects. They're all smiling with white teeth."

When it came to tobacco education, the crowd agreed old methods weren't working. After being bombarded with the facts about smoking from grade school on, many students tend to tune out.

"We've heard the facts and had the pamphlets," said Melissa Qualle, a Downey junior. "But when you bring in a live person who's dying from smoking, it affects you the most."

Panel member Michael Krausnick, county counsel, said he will propose creating a speaker's bureau with money from Proposition 10.

"I'm always amazed," he said. "I thoroughly enjoy listening to young people. We older people can always learn."

Reprinted by permission of Modesto Bee.