In a reversal every teen-ager has dreamed of, Modesto youth will get to tell adults to sit down, shut up and listen Thursday.

The occasion is the Teen Town Hall, a forum for young people to express their views on a variety of topics. The Modesto event will focus on tobacco issues thanks to its co-sponsor, the Stanislaus County Health Services Agency Tobacco Education Program.

"It's really a time for teens to be heard," said Donna Phillips, with the Tobacco Education Program. "We're giving them a platform. What they do with it is their decision."

Students, parents, educators and community members are invited to attend the free event from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the City Hall council chambers.

Described as an Oprah-style talk show, the evening will be directed and dominated by teens and their opinions. Organizers said a panel of adult experts will be on hand, but only to answer questions and observe.

Phillips said possible questions for discussion include:

• How teens feel about smoking laws.
• How easy it is for them to buy tobacco products.
• What they think about tobacco company marketing tactics.
• What influences them to start or stop smoking.

The discussion will be lead locally by teen hosts Brian Boozer and Jayme Pennington, both Beyer High School students. The audience will largely include preselected delegates from Roosevelt, Somerset and Ustach middle schools; Beyer, Davis, Modesto, Johansen highs and Elliott Alternative Education Center.

Priority for the remaining seats will be given to other interested students.

But for those who won't be able to get into the 90-person capacity chamber, there's still hope. An overflow room will accommodate extras, and live coverage will be broadcast on local cable access Channel 8. Radio station KWNN 98.3 FM will be there as well.

The event is organized through the Sacramento-based Children's Media Forum. Since it began in 1997, the group has put on more than 85 town halls. Forum President Joyce Christensen said besides just discussion, the forums generate results.

She credits them for convincing Raley's and Bel Air grocery stores in Sacramento to lock up cigarettes to stop teen shoplifters.

"A lot of times city officials take it quite seriously," she said. "It's a really unique way to learn about the concerns of young people."

Modesto organizers said the eight people on the expert panel were chosen for their power to make changes. They include Mayor Dick Lang, County Counsel Michael Krausnick, Assistant Sheriff Richard Breshears and Supervisor Pat Paul.

"This isn't just about 'Isn't it wonderful we're all getting together,' " Phillips said. "It's also practical. We want to get something done about the tobacco problem."

Reprinted by permission of Modesto Bee.