"Striving for a Healthier Community"

Teen Tobacco Prevention Program

The Health Department’s Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program is funded through the North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund Commission. Effective July 1st, 2009 the Health Department received continued grant funding for the tobacco prevention program. This funding will allow the Tobacco Prevention Program to continue through June of 2011. Through this funding we are able to offer a variety of services to the local school system and community:

Tobacco Prevention within the Duplin County School System:

• TRU Groups – These groups are made up of teens from all Duplin County middle and high schools. They have received training and education to become advocates for tobacco free schools and communities. These students are also responsible for participating in community events as well as conducting peer to peer awareness presentations in the local schools.
• Staff Cessation – Teen Tobacco Prevention Coordinators provide cessation materials and other resources to school staff interested in quitting their tobacco use habit.
• Support and Assistance with 100% Tobacco Free Schools Policy – Tobacco prevention coordinators and TRU group members assist the area schools with their TFS policy. This is done by conducting school surveillance checks, providing proper signage and educational materials on a year round schedule.
• Alternative to Suspension – The Alternative to Suspension program is offered to local middle and high schools. It serves as an alternative option for suspension for students caught with tobacco paraphernalia or using tobacco products on campus.
• Not On Tobacco (N-O-T) – NOT is a voluntary school based smoking cessation program for youth interested in quitting their tobacco habit.

Tobacco Prevention within the community:

• Red Flag Campaign/Merchant Education – This campaign advocates for raised awareness on the consequences of selling tobacco products to minors. TRU groups and tobacco prevention coordinators offer resources and educational materials to local merchants.
•  Smoke Free Dining – TRU groups and tobacco prevention coordinators offer assistance to local restaurants with implementing smoke free dining policies.
• Tobacco Awareness Presentations – TRU groups and tobacco prevention coordinators conduct awareness presentations regarding the dangers of smoking, tobacco pricing and taxing, social smoking, and other topics to the local community.
• Community Events – TRU groups and tobacco prevention coordinators participate in community events such as Relay for Life, Duplin County Expo, and church and community health fairs.
• Freedom from Smoking – Freedom from Smoking is a program created by the American Lung Association. This is a free cessation program offered by the Health Department to all community members interested in quitting smoking.  
• QuitlineNC Promotion – The North Carolina Quitline is a free statewide cessation resource.