100 Days to an Unstoppable, Vape-Free You

Decades of research shows that youth and young adults face unique challenges and hardships, as they navigate feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. Research also shows youth and young adults are more likely to cope with these emotions and hardships with unhealthy behaviors like vaping, using other tobacco products, or not seeking emotional support from a trusted person.

The 100 Day Playbook and video series serves as a resource dedicated to helping youth and young adults navigate hardships and respond to ...setbacks with confidence. Participants will have the opportunity to listen to the book's author, Juan Bendaña, share personal stories and struggles to help them understand the importance of committing themselves to creating a healthier and happier well-being. Additionally, the playbook and videos highlight the value of creating better habits, increasing motivation, and building unstoppable confidence all while living a tobacco-free life.

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Tobacco Use in the Military: A Historical Perspective

Host Kathleen Bates sits down with Dr. Joel Dunnington, former professor of Diagnostic Radiology at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center to discuss the deceptive tactics the tobacco industry used to sabotage the U.S. military into accepting the use of tobacco products as a part of their culture. In addition, revealing how the military is left paying for the detrimental health effects tobacco use causes as well as prevention efforts that better support tobacco-free living on military bases.

Tobacco Use in the Military: An Insider's Perspective

Host Kathleen Bates sits down with retired Naval Executive Officer, Alvaro (Al) Lima, to reflect on the changing targeted marketing tactics he witnessed from tobacco companies over the course of his 30 years of service. In addition, Lima provides insight on the cultural acceptance of tobacco use while serving tours in other countries and the altered sense of reality it has created for men and women globally since the 80's. Lastly, Kathleen and Al discuss practical efforts to bridge the gap in denormalizing the use of tobacco, especially among new recruits and veterans.

Helping Kids Thrive, Even in Difficult Times:
An Honest Conversation about Student Mental Health

As parents, teachers, and other caring adults in the lives of youth, we all want the same thing: to see them happy, self-confident, and capable of thriving in the world as adults. Today's world is not an easy path to navigate as so many young people struggle to identify their place at school, among friends, at home, and life in general. With the rapid rise in concerns about youth mental health and how some are choosing to cope, it's important to have an honest conversation about how you can help.

In this training, participants will hear from Joshua Wayne, a counselor with 20+ years of experience, share stories, practical advice, and wisdom gained to help participants build powerful relationships with young people that will be resilient even during the most challenging times. Then, you'll hear from the Community Prevention Program about how some youth are coping through vaping and the free resources available to schools, colleges, and youth-serving organizations.

New Year, New Vape Trends: The Industry's Insidious Designs

Each year, the tobacco industry lures hundreds of thousands of young people to try their vape products; and with various flavors, increasing nicotine and THC concentrations, and crafty designs, millions become addicted. But what do these insidious designs look like? How concentrated is the nicotine and THC found in these products?

In this training, you will hear from the Bay Area Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse's Tobacco Task Force as they showcase the evolution of vape product designs, packaging, and promotion, the concerns regarding these high concentrations, and what the Task Force is seeing in Brazoria County schools.

The Mental Health Crisis Among our Youth and Young Adults and the Effects of Vaping: Resources to Help

The challenges today's youth and young adults face are uniquely difficult to navigate. In fact, recent national surveys have shown concerning increases in the prevalence of certain mental health challenges among young people and how some are choosing to cope.

This online training will discuss the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of our youth and young adults, the coping strategies being used, how the tobacco industry has capitalized on the pandemic and contributed to the mental health crisis, and the resources schools, parents, public health professionals, and community organizations can use to support our young people.

Inside the Darkside of the Tobacco Industry and Drug Addiction

This training features Dr. Victor DeNoble, Ph.D. who was recruited in the 1980's by Philip Morris to build a secret research lab and to develop a “safer” cigarette. During his time at Philip Morris, Dr. DeNoble conducted research to identify a nicotine substitute that maintained the addictive properties of nicotine while reducing cardiovascular risk.

In this training, you will hear him expose the dark side of working for a tobacco company and reveal discoveries of nicotine addiction, how addiction can change the chemical makeup of the human brain as well as how the most frequently used addictive drugs, including marijuana, alcohol, cocaine, and methamphetamines impacts the brain.