Teens Against Tobacco Use (TATU)

TATU was first released in 1996 as the high school module for the Smoke-Free Class of 2000, a 12 year program sponsored jointly by the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, and the American Lung Association.  The ultimate goal of launching Smoke-Free Class of 2000 was to have the class of children entering kindergarten that year finish high school having avoided tobacco use and having become advocates for a tobacco-free America.

Although the Class of 2000 has graduated, the TATU program continues to empower teens to stay smoke-free, serve as role models for younger children, and become agents for change in the community.

Students of Delaware County are trained during a six hour (one full school day) training session.  The training consists of issues relating to tobacco, including health risks, benefits of smoke-free air, the knowledge that the majority of youth and adults do not smoke, and understanding how tobacco destroys youth's freedom and control over their personal lives, and it assists them to become advocates and develop self-confidence.  These teens then form groups that go into the elementary and/or middle schools and present skits, hands-on activities, and other interactive presentations about tobacco, advertising, and secondhand smoke exposure.  There is no better role model for an elementary aged child than a teenager.

Each TATU program can be tailored to fit the needs of each school system.  There are no costs involved for the students to go through the training and many of the resources are provided by the Tobacco Free Coalition Program Coordinator.  If this is a program that you might be interested in please contact Ashlee Bane, Coordinator of the Tobacco Free Coalition of Delaware County, for further information.

Ashlee Bane, Program Coordinator

Tobacco Free Coalition of Delaware County

Phone:  765-281-2745

ab@familyservicesmuncie.org