TRU 101: Youth, Adults, and Tobacco Use Prevention

1. TRU 101: Youth, Adults, and Tobacco Use Prevention tobacco.reality.unfiltered (TRU) Adult Leader Training

2. Facts and Statistics

3. Tobacco is the #1 preventable cause of death. Each year, 11,900 adults in North Carolina die from their own smoking (smoking-related causes). Almost 90% of all adult smokers begin at or before the age of 18.

4. Each day, more than 2,000 kids under 18 become new regular, daily smokers. Smoking costs North Carolina more than $5.7 billion annually in health care costs and lost productivity. The addiction rate for smoking is higher than the addiction rates for marijuana, alcohol, or cocaine.

5. Cigarette butts are the #1 most littered item—the filters in the butts are made of plastic and are not biodegradable. 1,200 Americans lose their life every day to tobacco use.

6. According to the NC Youth Tobacco Survey results, the rates of high school students who smoke:

7. According to the NC Youth Tobacco Survey results, the rate of middle school students who smoke:

8. TRU Empowerment

9. TRU Empowerment The opportunity for youth to participate in meaningful roles—with the ability to bond with adults in the environment and receive positive reinforcement and recognition. (Chinman & Linney, 1998)

10. TRU Advocacy Definition: Acting in support of a particular issue or cause—standing up for what you believe in and influencing others to change the way they think and act about an issue

11. TRU Empowerment • TRU Skill Development • TRU Critical Awareness • TRU Opportunities

12. Definitions • TRU Skill Development (Learning) • For example: Learning facts, practicing public speaking • TRU Critical Awareness (Analyzing & Strategizing) • For example: Action planning, asking “why” questions • TRU Opportunities (Taking Action) • For example: Collecting petition signatures, speaking to policymakers

13. TRU Skill Development Learning How to Make Change • Practicing how to speak in front of policy makers and the media • Learning about effective teaching techniques for peers and youth • Discovering how to run a group and create action plans

14. TRU Critical Awareness • Asking Why and How Questions • Why is tobacco still a legal product when it causes so many health problems? • Why is the tobacco tax so low in North Carolina? • How can we get more teens in our county to remain tobacco-free?

15. TRU Opportunities • Taking action to create change • Collect petition signatures • Meet with local merchants • Conduct surveys • Develop school and community events • Write letters to the editor

16. Empowering Outcomes individuals Train youth on media advocacy Train youth on public speaking Train youth on peer education Train youth on media literacy Youth write press releases Youth speak to school boards Youth conduct peer education Youth create their own PSA

17. Empowering Outcomes your agency Shared decision making Clear roles & responsibilities Nurturing leadership Fair ways to resolve conflict Youth set agenda & run meetings Youth gain skills & experience Youth grow in confidence Team feels free to discuss concerns

18. Empowering Outcomes community Educate press to include youth voices Youth as decision makers (not just window dressing) Create roles for other adults Engage new community groups Youth consistently quoted in press Youth participate in campaigns and on community boards Adults volunteer & contribute New diverse groups create programs

19. The TRU Movement: Making a difference in NC!