Student Initiatives
In order to sustain a coordinated, comprehensive statewide tobacco prevention and control initiative in Texas and to prevent youth tobacco use in accordance with the Bureau of Chronic Disease and Tobacco Preventions Tobacco Initiative comprehensive approach to tobacco control, TxSSC conducts the following services:
Teen Ambassadors
The Texas Teen Ambassadors are a group of high school-aged (and some college-aged) teens that provide guidance, input and direction to state tobacco control leaders regarding the states tobacco prevention efforts including the Texas Department of State Health Services Tobacco Prevention Initiative (Pilot Program) and the Alliance for a Tobacco-Free Texas statewide coalition.
Regional Teen Tobacco Summits
TxSSC conducts Teen Leadership Summits statewide. We train and equip community and school-based organizations to invest in youth, where young people and adult allies come together to create positive social change.
Summits are based on an overarching youth development philosophy, where the following standards will be met. Youth will have the opportunity to experience and the assurance of: 1) a safe environment to learn, 2) skills building opportunities, 3) leadership opportunities, 4) connection to community and school, and 5) healthy relationships with adults and peers. Summits will provide training to young people to create change focused on improving health and well-being, while also gaining experience and skills to become leaders in their communities. Summit participants will receive environmental prevention training to guide youth and adult partners in addressing the local community conditions social, physical, economic, as well as cultural that contribute to youth tobacco use.
Texas Teen Tobacco Summit & Comprehensive Tobacco Prevention Conference
TxSSC, in cooperation with DSHS and the Texas Teen Ambassadors, will coordinate, plan, and conduct the 2009 Texas Teen Tobacco Summit and Comprehensive Tobacco Prevention Conference . The conference will include educational plenary sessions and breakout sessions for youth and adults as well as other skills building and team building activities for all participants.
Overall goals of the conference are as follows:
- Bring youth and adults together in a safe, respectful environment to foster a strong, multi-generational coalition of Texans working toward a tobacco-free environment.
- Provide skills building, community building, leadership, advocacy, and learning opportunities in order to effectively equip ALL participants to create effective and realistic plans for positive environmental action and change.
- Highlight successes from around the state and reward and recognize effective efforts by youth and adults in tobacco prevention efforts.
Other Youth Initiatives
The DUCK!
The DUCK says Tobacco Is Foul! Tobacco is gross! It makes you smell bad and its got all kinds of weird stuff in it like nail polish remover and rat poison! Help the duck out Go to www.ducktexas.com & take action! Who knows you may even win a cool prize.
What is Worth It To You?
If you are a teenager and want to find out facts about using tobacco, tell your story, or make a step to quit your habit, check out www.worthit.org.