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 20 community coalitions, as well as our OVX and VKAT groups, take part in youth prevention initiatives in their local areas.
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 teens that started OVX created 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.
There are 12 funded OVX sites in communities around the state. OVX works on many other topics and addresses issues of fitness & physical nutrition, health relationships, stress management and other drug prevention.
The OVX "Butts of Hollywood " media campaign informs Vermont teens about the issue of smoking by actors in movies. Check out the ads and learn what you can do at: Butts of Hollywood.
To find out more, 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 54 and the content area has expanded to include alcohol and other drugs, fitness & nutrition, media literacy, life skills and decision making.
The goals of VKAT
- Reduce youth smoking rates.
- Create and support youth leaders.
- Increased self-concept and self-confidence.
- Presenting factual and current information about tobacco and other topics.
- Learning presentation skills.
- Having a sense of belonging and partnership with other like-minded youth across the state.
- Realization that youth opinions and ideas count and that they can make a difference.
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
Created for young people looking for help to quit smoking. N-O-T classes include help with withdrawal, relapse and questions about weight gain.
N-O-T classes are held in school and community locations throughout Vermont, and have helped nearly 1,000 students.
Classes run for 10 weeks, 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 or e-mail tobacco@vtlung.org.
More Resources
The Truth
National group fighting to get the truth about tobacco out there.
Tobacco Talks
From the campaign for Tobacco Free Kids.
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.