Tips & Resources
to Address Youth Tobacco Use

Kids pay more attention to what you say and do than you might think. Research shows that parents, and caring adults, can have a powerful impact on young people’s choices, so talk with the kids in your life about the dangers of tobacco use. Listen to what they have to say. Be a good role model. Then share what you’ve learned with your entire community. Parents like you can make a real difference.
At Home:
  • Get to know the tobacco industry’s products and tactics.
  • Learn about the serious health effects of youth tobacco use.
  • Talk to your kids about tobacco and its dangers, as well as other substances.
  • Talk to your kids about tobacco and its dangers.
  • Keep an eye out for tobacco products in your home.
  • Set a good example by living tobacco-free.
At School:
  • Share what you know about the dangers of tobacco with others.
  • Get to know the tobacco policies that affect your community.
  • Let your local leaders know that tobacco prevention matters to you.
  • Alcohol missing from your home.
  • Support state and local tobacco prevention and control best practice policies.
  • Join the tobacco prevention coalition near you.
In Community:
  • Share what you know about the dangers of tobacco with others.
  • Get to know the tobacco policies that affect your community.
  • Let your local leaders know that tobacco prevention matters to you.
  • Alcohol missing from your home.
  • Support state and local tobacco prevention and control best practice policies.
  • Join the tobacco prevention coalition near you.

Help Your Child Quit:

Tap into a network of free and affordable support resources, including: quitting coaches, peer support, and helplines that offer help by phone call, live chat, or texting.

Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for free quitting support and more. Help your teen quit e-cigarettes with the Live Vape Free course. Encourage your teen to text VAPEFREE to 873373 for free help.

Let your child know you’re proud of their efforts to live tobacco-free. Help your child find personal quitting support, like a quit coach, support group, or a mobile app.

Provide healthy distractions that can help them cope if they get cravings. Talk to your family doctor about quitting resources. Try not to judge. Be positive and supportive, even when they stumble

Prevention for siblings too!

Nearly all tobacco use begins during youth and young adulthood. Tobacco contains nicotine, a highly addictive drug that causes many young people to progress from smoking occasionally to smoking every day. Prevention is critical. If young people don’t start using tobacco by age 26, they almost certainly will never start.

Laws and Policies Need Your Support!

Across Wisconsin, local coalitions work from the grassroots up to help enact policies that protect communities from tobacco’s dangerous effects. Local efforts are important and build momentum for statewide change, but without comprehensive statewide policies, too many of our neighbors get left out. That’s why it is important to develop comprehensive statewide tobacco policies that help every Wisconsin youth live a healthy, tobacco-free life.

Teens ready to quit e-cigarettes can text

VAPEFREE to 873373 for free help

Concerned about a kid’s well-being?

Call 211 or 1-833-944-4673
The Wisconsin Addiction Recovery Helpline can help you find local services and support. It’s free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.