Utah School Resource Guide
Schools are in a powerful position of influence over the students they serve and can play a major role in reducing the rate of tobacco use among youth. Research suggests that when consistently enforced, tobacco-free school policies are an essential part of lowering teen smoking rates. Most Utah schools have policies that comply with the Utah Indoor Clean Air Act (UICAA) by prohibiting tobacco use anywhere on campus.
However, a comprehensive policy goes beyond simple compliance by supporting safe schools, promoting clean air, and creating an environment where students are encouraged to make healthy choices.
This guide is designed to help Utah schools and districts through the process of incorporating recommendations from the CDC’s “Guidelines for School Health Programs to Prevent Tobacco Use and Addiction.”
Click the image on the right to access the guide.
How to Handle and Dispose of E-Cigarette Waste
Youth Prevention and Cessation Resources
Dental Vaping Screening Toolkit
The Dental Vaping Screening Toolkit is a new, evidence-based guide developed to help dental professionals screen for vaping screening use among Utah youth. It assists dental professionals to recognize signs of vaping use. The toolkit also equips clinicians with the ability to educate youth on the dangers of vaping as well as connect youth to tobacco cessation services.
Prevention or Policy Violation Resource:
ASPIRE
ASPIRE is a free, bilingual, online tobacco prevention and cessation curriculum for teens. It was developed by the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The interactive tool explains the dangers of tobacco and nicotine use, so teens never use tobacco products. Or, if they already do, ASPIRE provides information and ways to quit.
All Utah schools and peer courts can access ASPIRE under a memorandum of understanding with MD Anderson Cancer Center and the Utah Department of Health Tobacco Prevention and Control Program. Contact your local health department for more information or to enroll your school or contact Julie Christie.
jchristie@utah.gov
801-538-6883
ASPIRE is one option for evidence-based prevention education programs. Some local health departments may have additional programs.
TOBACCO PREVENTION TOOLKIT
The Tobacco Prevention Toolkit is a new, theory-based and evidence-informed educational resource that can be adapted to fit the individual needs of educators and students in all types of settings, including elementary, middle and high schools; community-based organizations; and health-related agencies. This Toolkit contains a set of modules focused on e-cigarettes and vapes, messages on nicotine addiction, information and resources concerning positive youth development. For more information visit med.stanford.edu/tobaccopreventiontoolkit.html
Cessation Resources:
My Life, My Quit
The My Life, My Quit program is for young people age 12 to 17 who want help quitting all forms of tobacco, including vaping. It’s free. Parental consent is required and collected by the program.
My Life, My Quit Coaches help youth:
- Develop a quit plan
- Cope with stress
- Learn about nicotine
- Get ongoing support
Text or call 855-891-9989
For more information go to www.mylifemyquit.com
SMOKEFREE TEEN
Smokefree Teen helps youth stop using tobacco by providing information grounded in scientific evidence and offering free tools on their mobile phones. The text messaging program can help youth quit smoking, and the quitSTART app helps them become smokefree by providing helpful strategies for tackling cravings, bad moods, and other situations. teen.smokefree.gov
Classroom Resources:
PREVENTION DIMENSIONS
Prevention Dimensions (PD) is a set of lessons which support the Utah State Board of Education pre-k-12th grade health core. The lessons are age appropriate and meet the CDC recommendations for tobacco prevention. For more information visit uen.org/preventiondimensions.
CATCH MY BREATH
This free program offers in-class activities, teacher education, online resources, and take-home materials for parents about e-cigarettes, nicotine, and addiction dangers. The program is based on state of the art tobacco awareness and prevention best-practices and is being evaluated for outcome evidence. The curriculum consists of four lessons at 30-40 minutes each. For more information visit catchinfo.org/modules/e-cigarettes.
YOUTH ADVOCACY COALITION
The Youth Advocacy Coalition the collective efforts of youth groups across Utah to create healthy communities. The mission for tobacco prevention youth groups is to empower youth and adult partners to create youth friendly, tobacco-free, communities through advocacy, education, and environmental changes. For more information on how to become a part of the Youth Advocacy Coalition, contact Julie Christie. jchristie@utah.gov | 801-538-6883