The need for tobacco education and prevention is HUGE and the earlier we begin, the longer and healthier lives we are likely lead.

•Tobacco use begins at an early age. Almost 90 percent of all smokers begin before the age of 18.
•Everyday more than 4,000 kids try their first cigarette; and each day more than 2,000 other kids under 18 years of age become new regular, daily smokers. That’s more than 750,000 new underage daily smokers each year.
•The tobacco industry concentrates its marketing efforts on our nation’s children. They recognize that new smokers must continually be recruited to replace the nearly half-million who die annually of tobacco-related illnesses.

For these reasons and many more, The Office of Prevention partners with well researched prevention and intervention programs such as TATU and NOT to help our students in Broward County avoid smoking – and quit if they have begun.

What is NOT? Not-on-Tobacco (N-O-T®)

Most young smokers want to quit smoking, but are unable to succeed on their own. Not On Tobacco® (N-O-T) is a state-of-the-science, school-based program that provides assistance to teens who wish to quit smoking. The program covers the entire quitting process, including the prevention of relapses.

Not On Tobacco (N-O-T) is our voluntary program for high school teens who want to quit smoking. It is the most researched and most widely used teen smoking cessation program in the United States. Since 1999, more than 150,000 teens in 48 states have participated in the N-O-T program. This 10-week program helps teens understand why they smoke and helps them develop the skills, confidence, and support they need to quit.

Teens learn the skills they need to tackle tough problems like nicotine withdrawal, getting through urges and cravings, and responding to peer pressure to continue smoking. N-O-T deals with issues that are important to teens, such as how to control weight after quitting, how to manage stress in healthy ways, and how to communicate effectively. N-O-T also includes tips specific to boys and specific to girls, as research has shown that the two groups may have different reasons for smoking and may need different strategies for quitting.

For more information about N-O-T, visit the national N-O-T website or call (804) 267-1900. If you’re a teen and want to quit smoking, click here

What is TATU? Teens Against Tobacco Use (TATU®)

Teens Against Tobacco Use® (TATU) is a program that trains students ages 14-17 to mentor youngsters about the dangers of smoking. Research indicates that teens enjoy opportunities to positively influence their younger counterparts. Consequently, this mentoring also serves to reinforce their decisions to remain smoke-free. Evidence suggests that peer-led programs such as TATU are more effective in reducing tobacco. You must be trained by a certified TATU trainer in order to implement this program.

TATU – Teens Against Tobacco Use – (TATU) is a program that trains students ages 14-17 to mentor youngsters about the dangers of smoking. Research indicates that teens enjoy opportunities to positively influence their younger counterparts. Consequently, this mentoring also serves to reinforce their decisions to remain smoke-free. Evidence suggests that peer-led programs such as TATU are more effective in reducing tobacco.

You must be trained by a certified TATU trainer in order to implement this program.

To find out if your school offers the TATU program, please see your school administrator or contact the American Lung Association of NC at 1-800-LUNG USA

Annual Survey Results

Below please find the 2008 Annual Survey results for NOT and TATU – tobacco prevention/intervention programs utilized in Broward County Public Schools:

TATU Survey Results for Broward County 08-09

NOT Survey Results for Broward County

Other helpful resources & links:

www.lungnc.org
www.ffsonline.org
www.realityunfiltered.com
www.tobaccofreekids.com
www.notobacco.org
www.cdc.gov/tobacco
www.getoutraged.com
www.tobaccopedia.org
www.stepupnc.com
www.thetruth.com
www.nchealthyschools.org