The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: 1. Participants will identify ways to build a comprehensive program empowering youths in grades K-12. 2. Participants will learn methods to use empowering messages for youths in contrast to the industry's programs.

Methods: The market is supposedly the same; however, the execution is dramatically different between industry sponsored tobacco youth education programs and true comprehensive programs developed free from tobacco industry input. In eight years of service, The Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi provides a comprehensive systemic approach to reducing youth tobacco use. Using CDC guidelines and behavioral research, The Partnership developed messaging for youth attending grades K-12.

The Partnership has programs on every level that use a comprehensive approach the empowers youth to make healthy lifestyle choices: RAT- K-3rd grade youth and their families; S.W.A.T- 4th-6th graders and focuses on tobacco prevention through teams and life resiliency skills; FREE- 7- 8th grader members use classroom materials and regional events to sharpen advocacy and life resiliency skills., and Frontline- 9th-12th grade advocacy program which empowers youth to take an active role in policy change on the local/state levels.

Results: The Partnership successfully reversed the increasing trend of youth tobacco use in Mississippi. In stark contrast, industry sponsored programs message to youths that smoking is an adult choice and focus on the illegal use of tobacco by minors. The Partnership has reduced youth tobacco use by 32% among high school students and 48% among middle school students.