Missouri Tobacco Prevention & Control Program continues to be a strong Associate Member this school year!
MARE continues to be a strong partner with the Missouri Tobacco Prevention & Control Program.
The Missouri Tobacco Prevention and Control Program’s (TPCP) vision is a tobacco-free Missouri. The Program works to improve health by promoting and supporting tobacco-free environments and lifestyles through the following goals: motivating tobacco and e-cigarette users to quit, protecting people from the harms of secondhand smoke, transforming social norms to prevent tobacco use initiation, and reducing the impact on populations disproportionately affected by tobacco.
New Website for Educators
MARE among others has partnered with TPCP to provide Tobacco Is Changing, a new website with resources for parents and educators to help end the youth vaping epidemic within our schools and communities. Schools play a vital role in young people’s lives, and that means teachers can have an impact on preventing and reducing underage tobacco and e-cigarette use. Teachers can find tips and tools for talking to students, updating their school’s tobacco policies, cessation policies, a FREE Media Toolkit, and more at TobaccoIsChangingMO.org/educators/
Order FREE Materials
If you or someone you know is looking for educational or promotional material visit: https://stateofmissouri.wufoo.com/forms/z1rlh8s51a3zdsz
items include: youth vaping posters, tobacco cessation materials, tobacco-free window clings, and more.
Guide on How to Implement a Tobacco-Free Policy to Reduce Student Tobacco Use
Missouri’s Guide to Creating a Comprehensive Tobacco and Vape-Free School District is a resource to assist schools in developing and enhancing policies to prevent and reduce tobacco use and exposure. The Guide and fillable tools are available on the Department of Health and Senior Services’ website. Assistance with using the Guide and developing a comprehensive tobacco and vape-free school policy is also available by calling the Missouri Tobacco Prevention and Control Program at (573) 522-2820.
Updated Tobacco Cessation Resources
My Life My Quit is a teen vaping cessation program. Many youth who vape are addicted to nicotine, and those who receive evidence-based cessation resources are more likely to quit. Teens can text “Start My Quit” to 36072 for personalized free help today. It is recommended that parents and educators ask how their youth are doing, encourage them to quit vaping, and really listen when they open up. MyLifeMyQuit.org is an informational site containing free help for parents and other supportive adults, like educators, on tips to start the conversation and support youth on their quit journey. With participant consent, schools and other non-HIPAA-covered entities can refer youth to My Life My Quit HERE!
TPCP also manages Missouri Tobacco Quit Services (1-800-QUIT-NOW or www.YouCanQuit.org) a free service that provides cessation coaching via web and text, information and resources on how to quit, and, if eligible, FDA-approved cessation medications to Missouri residents age 18 and older who want to quit smoking, vaping, or using nicotine products.
Download Free Social Media Content
DHSS Free Social Media features new graphics and videos about youth e-cigarette prevention, cessation and more. Content is available in Facebook and Twitter formats with a sample post copy provided. The image below is an example of the type of graphic that can be downloaded. There is a wide variety of message tested social media content to choose from, and content is added monthly.
Post Copy: “As a teacher, you can help reduce tobacco product use, including e-cigarettes, among young people. Learn how you can take action at CDC.gov/e-cigarettes”