Youth Prevention
Tobacco Control Program
Vermont has had large declines in youth smoking rates, but prevention is still the focus. Each day youth are still exposed to many tobacco messages, resulting in 3,000 new smokers nationally each day.
We’re reaching out to youth ages
10-18, through our TV and radio media campaigns, and by providing information and tools to a number of groups that are working in the local communities.
Our network of 17 community coalitions, as well as our OVX and VKAT groups, take part in youth prevention initiatives in their local areas. These community partners have moved beyond traditional prevention activities in recent years, and have been working to change the social norms around tobacco in their communities.
Through policy changes, like smoke-free outdoor areas and reduced tobacco advertising at the retail level, these groups are reducing the impact of tobacco in their towns. In Enosburg, the parks are now smoke-free, an initiative that was led by OVX members who collaborated with the local community coalition.
Our Voices Xposed (OVX)
OVX is a high-school aged, youth-led movement against tobacco to educate, inform and empower teens to reduce smoking among their peers. The OVX effort allows youth to address, educate and help reduce tobacco's impact on their lives and those of their peers.
The Vermont teens that started OVX in 2001created the name and the goals that guide the movement:
- Educate and inform.
- Empower and show our peers how to express our views.
- Take action against the exploitation by the tobacco industry.
- Encourage positive behavior in all aspects of life.
- Help reduce tobacco use among our peers.
We currently have 14 OVX groups in the state. In 2010-11, we aim to increase the presence of OVX funded sites around the state. OVX works on tobacco policy change and many other topics and addresses issues of fitness & nutrition, health relationships, stress management and other drug prevention.
To find out more about our campaigns, or to get involved in your community, visit OVX.org.
Vermont Kids Against Tobacco (VKAT)
VKAT is a peer-led group that was started in 1995 to educate kids (5th to 8th grade) about the real dangers of tobacco use. Over the last ten years VKAT has grown from 10 groups to 51 and the content area has expanded to include alcohol and other drugs, fitness & nutrition, media literacy, life skills and decision making.
More than 750 middle school youth were VKAT members last year - they held 382 tobacco prevention related activities that reached over 24,000 community members.
The goals of VKAT
- Reduce youth smoking rates.
- Create and support youth leaders.
- Increased self-concept and self-confidence that can lead to realization that youth's opinions and ideas count.
- Learn how to present factual and current information about the harms of tobacco and other topics.
For more information visit goVKAT.org or call toll-free 866-331-5622.
8outof10.com
Despite large decreases in youth smoking rates in recent years, many students still believe that a majority of teens smoke. The reality is that 8 out 10 teens don’t smoke. So, to help change the misperception about the real rate, we created the 8outof10.com campaign.
8 out of 10 teens in Vermont don’t smoke, and they have some great reasons for staying smoke-free:
“You don’t get anything out of it.”
“I don’t need smoking to make me look cool.”
“I won’t be able to keep up in sports.”
“It’s a nasty habit.”
“It makes your breath stink.”
“I won’t be able to achieve my goals.”
Visit 8outof10.com and watch the ads starring real Vermont teens.
Not On Tobacco (N-O-T) Quit Smoking Classes for Teenagers
The evidence-based program was created for young people looking for help to quit smoking. N-O-T classes include help with withdrawal, relapse and questions about weight gain.
Trained facilitators implement N-O-T in schools and community locations throughout Vermont, and have helped over 1,300 students.
Each session runs 45-50 minutes once a week and are free of charge.
To find a class in your area, or to start a new location, call the American Lung Association at 1-800-LUNG-USA , 802-876-6860 or e-mail info@lungne.org
Vermont Quit Network for Teens
Teens can easily become addicted to smoking too. It can be hard to quit smoking, but there is help when you're ready to quit, and you can double your chances of success by using a Vermont Quit Network service.
Quit Online
The Vermont Quit Network has many online options, including Your Quit. Your Way tools and online support. The Your Quit. Your Way tools can be found at VTQuitNetwork.org . Or you can link to our QuitNet online support service, which offers advice, tips, reminder e-mails and access to online chat groups, where you can talk with other smokers who know what you're going through. QuitNet registration is free for Vermonters.
Quit by Phone
Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669)
The Vermont Quit Network links you with a quit coach who will call at a time that works for you. Your coach will help you get ready to quit, and will give you tips. advice, and support to help you stay quit. They'll even help out if you've had a relapse and want to try again. The Network can also link you to a local coach, online support, or mail out self-help tools. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669) to get started.
More Resources
The Truth
National group fighting to get the truth about tobacco out there.
Tobacco Talks
From the campaign for Tobacco Free Kids.
The 2009 Family Smoking Prevention and Control Act give the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) authority to regulate tobacco products. Learn more about how the FDA is protecting kids and get fact sheets at this site.
Children and Compliance Checks
This site shows you how retailers in your neighborhood and around the country are complying with the law to halt tobacco sales to children. You can search by location or establishment and can call up reports showing national and state results.
Vermont Department of Liquor Control
The DLC handles retail training and enforcement of rules pertaining to youth access to tobacco.
Vermont Department of Education
Find out about the school curriculum for tobacco and prevention education, as well as tobacco policy for Vermont schools.
More online tobacco-related resources can be found at OVX.org.