Tobacco Prevention and Control Branch

Youth Tobacco Use Prevention

• Youth Tobacco Use Prevention
• Increasing Tobacco Prices
• Mass Media Campaigns
• Restricting Access to Tobacco
• Tobacco Free Schools
• Youth Empowerment
• NEW! Youth Tobacco Cessation Palm Cards, with QR codes for programs that work!
• Youth-Centered Programs and Resources (PDF, 934 KB)
• NEW! FAQs: The Scoop on the Parental Consent Law and What it Means for Tobacco Prevention and Cessation in NC Schools (PDF, 1.2 MB)

Infographic on NC Tobacco Prevention Activities

NC DPH E-Cigarette Health Advisory Materials

The Tobacco Prevention and Control Branch, N.C. Chronic Disease and Injury Section, issued these materials to educate health care providers, school leaders, parents and other care givers and the public on the pressing issue of young people’s use of electronic cigarettes and similar nicotine delivery devices.

Teen Tobacco Use Rates

Almost 90 percent of adult smokers became addicted to tobacco products at or before age 20. The 2017 NC Youth Tobacco Survey found that while cigarette smoking continues to decrease among middle and high school students in North Carolina, e-cigarette use is increasing to epidemic proportions, which is increasing the overall tobacco use rate among teens.

For additional information on teen tobacco use rates, visit the Research and Data section of our website.

Spit/Chew Tobacco

Spit tobacco is not a safe alternative to smoking. There are many terms to describe spit tobacco, including smokeless, chewing tobacco, and snuff. The use of spit tobacco can cause cancer, heart disease and stroke.

CDC Prevention Recommendations

To prevent and reduce tobacco use among young people, The Guide to Community Preventive Services and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend policy and program interventions in the following areas:

• Increasing the unit price of tobacco products
• Conducting mass media campaigns combined with other interventions
• Promoting tobacco-free environments (e.g. school systems, community venues)
• Restricting minor’s access to tobacco products through community mobilization when combined with additional interventions

Training and technical assistance is provided to communities and school settings across the state to help support tobacco use prevention and cessation programs.