Take Down Tobacco Day of Action highlights the dangers of tobacco use
Tobacco Stops With Me, a program of the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), is encouraging Oklahomans to take part in the “Take Down Tobacco” National Day of Action on Wednesday, April 1. This annual event is an opportunity for students, teachers, health professionals and leaders across Oklahoma to stand up to Big Tobacco and call attention to the industry’s manipulative tactics.
“In Oklahoma alone, tobacco use is responsible for 7,500 deaths every year,” said Julie Bisbee, TSET executive director. “Helping young Oklahomans understand the risks and stand up to Big Tobacco can lead to healthier choices and healthier communities. That’s central to the TSET mission to improve the lives of all Oklahomans.”
Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death in Oklahoma. While the number of high school students who smoke has greatly declined, more than 1 in 5 high schoolers report vaping. Events during the Day of Action focus on raising awareness in communities, encouraging youth to speak up against the tobacco industry and supporting efforts to protect kids from tobacco products and e-cigarettes.
In Oklahoma, Youth Action for Health Leadership (YAHL) a youth-led program of the TSET Healthy Youth Initiative, will take part by collecting photo pledges from community members throughout the day.
To learn more about tobacco, e-cigarettes and how you can take a stand against Big Tobacco, visit StopsWithMe.com and join the fight for a healthier state. Oklahoma teens who want to quit tobacco can access free support through My Life, My Quit™️ by visiting MyLifeMyQuit.com or texting “Start My Quit” to 36072.
Oklahoma adults thinking about quitting tobacco can sign up for free services from the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline by visiting OKhelpline.com, calling 1-800-QUIT NOW or texting READY to 34191.
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The Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) is building a healthier future for all Oklahomans. As a state grantmaking entity, TSET supports community programs, public health initiatives and research to prevent the leading causes of chronic disease. TSET grants and partnerships help to reduce tobacco use, improve nutrition, advance medicine and increase access to active, healthy living. Created by voters and funded by the Master Settlement Agreement, TSET is creating lasting change in schools, workplaces and communities across the state. Learn more at Oklahoma.gov/TSET.
Tobacco Stops With Me is a statewide campaign, funded through the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Trust, that provides an efficient, emotional and highly recognizable tobacco-free message for Oklahomans to rally around. By educating the public about the negative effects and impact of tobacco, the goal of Tobacco Stops With Me is to prevent and reduce tobacco use, improving the health and quality of life for all Oklahomans. Tobacco Stops With Me aims to inspire individuals to make positive changes — not only for their own health, but for the health of the entire state as well. Find FREE resources and more information at StopsWithMe.com.
The TSET Healthy Youth Initiative empowers Oklahoma youth to improve health outcomes for themselves and future generations. The initiative includes statewide public health education messaging, a youth-led advocacy program and character-building to reduce tobacco use and obesity. The initiative also gives parents resources to support their children in maintaining or developing healthy habits for a lifetime. Visit TSETHealthyYouth.com to learn more.
My Life, My Quit is a free program to help Oklahoma teens ages 13-17 quit tobacco and e-cigarettes. By offering free live texting, web chat and phone calls, My Life, My Quit supports teens through the steps of quitting tobacco. Funded by the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, these free services for Oklahoma teens can be found at MyLifeMyQuit.com or by texting “Start My Quit” to 36072.
TSET – Better Lives Through Better Health