Tobacco companies target youth. Every single day approximately 3,000 kids try their first cigarette, the first step in developing a dependence and becoming a regular smoker addicted to nicotine. In fact, if a person does not have his or her first cigarette as a teen, it is unlikely they will ever become a smoker.

• The Surgeon General's Report for Kids about Smoking shares what kids and their friends think about smoking.

"Quitting smoking is one of the most important things you can do for YOUR HEALTH". For most smokers cigarettes/chew has a strong physical and behavioral hold. Your body becomes so dependent on nicotine and the activities associated with smoking/chewing, it's often extremely difficult to quit.

If you've started, you can quit! Empower yourself. "If you think you can, you will; but if you think you can't, you won't". Beating nicotine is a very difficult think to do; we are here to help through local programs.

Your local schools are partnering with the N.O.T. program. A total health approach to helping teens stop smoking. Contact your school nurse or email us for more information.

Teens Against Tobacco Use. Teen training will be held in February! Learn more about this exciting program online.

Websites to Inform and Help You Quit:

• TobaccoFreeKids.org
  Working to expose Big Tobacco's lies, the Campaign reveals the truth about the deadly effects of smoking, tobacco's corporate public relations campaigns to convince the public that it is a reformed industry, and the advertising and marketing tactics tobacco companies use to entice youth as their new customers.
• TeenQuit.com
  Quitting smoking isn't easy, but it can be done! TeenQuit.com offers tools to help make the process go a little smoother. The goal: stop smoking! How you get there is totally up to you. You can choose to go without help, coping skills, or support and pretend to tough it out, but you'd feel a lot better having a plan to follow. And your chances of quitting and staying smoke-free will definitely improve!
• IgniteGeneration.org
  Igniting a nation through action; fighting the corruption of Washington DC politicians by Big Tobacco companies.
• NoTobacco.org
  Master Anti-Smoking Site for Teens of the Internet's coolest anti-tobacco sites. Research your questions easily. The Message to Youth will rock you!
• SmokeFreeMovies.com
  Learn all about smoking in the movies and what you can do about it. Read secret tobacco industry documents, who is heavily promote smoking, and join the world-wide movement for smokefree movies.

Tobacco and sports do not mix!

The Tobacco-Free Sports initiative is a pilot program educating our athletes on the dangers of tobacco use.

The program includes an easy-to-use coach's manual with several short practice lessons and supplemental materials that compliment the lessons.