THE BASICS

WHAT IS TAKE DOWN TOBACCO?

Take Down Tobacco is a FREE, comprehensive youth advocacy training program created by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids in partnership with the CVS Health Foundation. The program educates and engages young people by providing evidence-based information about tobacco use, including vaping, and courses to develop transferable advocacy skills and tools to equip them with the skills to fight against tobacco and other issues they care about. Each spring, youth advocates raise their collective voice for the Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action by hosting activities and events, advocating to decision-makers, engaging with the media, and getting active on social media.

What ages are the Take Down Tobacco courses meant for?

The training program content is designed for middle and high school students, but is available for anyone who wants to use it. The Core 4 Advanced Advocacy courses are also great for college students and adults who want to learn how to take advocacy actions.

I’M AN ADULT – WHERE DO I FIT IN?

trainings with the youth leaders they work with, including:

• Training and resources to guide in-person Take Down Tobacco 101 and The Rise of Vaping trainings.
• Supplemental discussion guides for the Core 4 Advanced Advocacy courses which provide discussion questions, activities, and corresponding worksheets adults may utilize to debrief trainings and facilitate hands-on activities.

I’VE BEEN FIGHTING TOBACCO FOR YEARS. DO I REALLY NEED TO TAKE ONE OF THE ENTRY COURSES?

Yes and no… we recommend everyone complete either Take Down Tobacco 101 or The Rise of Vaping to access the additional courses offered through the program. We realize that some advocates may be familiar with the training content, but taking an entry course will ground your knowledge for the remaining courses in the program and provide a good refresher on the most up-to-date information on tobacco.

Can the Take Down Tobacco program be implemented for virtual/distance learning?

Yes, the Take Down Tobacco trainings are ideal for distance or virtual learning because students can take courses individually on their own device. Educators can also guide Take Down Tobacco 101 and/or The Rise of Vaping trainings on virtual platforms like Zoom, which allows you to facilitate the trainings and relevant activities.

Does the Take Down Tobacco training program align with educational standards?

Yes! Take Down Tobacco aligns with standards from National Health Education Standards, National Standards for Family & Consumer Sciences, and Common Core State Standards. Click HERE [link - new link] to download the Educational Standards Alignment document for more details.

ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN FOR TOBACCO-FREE KIDS

WHAT IS THE CAMPAIGN FOR TOBACCO-FREE KIDS?

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, a non-profit organization, is a leading force in the fight to reduce tobacco use and its deadly toll in the United States and around the world. Our vision: A future free of the death and disease caused by tobacco. We work to save lives by preventing kids from smoking, helping smokers quit and protecting everyone from secondhand smoke. For more information, visit www.tobaccofreekids.org.

WHO FUNDS THE CAMPAIGN FOR TOBACCO-FREE KIDS?

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids relies on contributions from individuals, philanthropic foundations, corporations and other non-profit organizations. We accept no government or tobacco industry funding. Find out how to make a donation.

HOW ELSE CAN YOUTH BECOME INVOLVED WITH THE CAMPAIGN FOR TOBACCO-FREE KIDS?

Youth can become involved with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids through our youth initiatives: Kick Butts Day, Youth Engagement Alliance, National Youth Ambassadors and Youth Advocates of the Year Awards. To learn more about these youth initiatives, click here.

ABOUT THE CVS HEALTH FOUNDATION

WHAT IS THE CVS HEALTH FOUNDATION?

The CVS Health Foundation is a private foundation at the center of CVS Health’s corporate philanthropy program. The CVS Health Foundation provides support and resources for communities, nonprofit partners, pharmacy schools and its colleagues. The CVS Health Foundation supports tobacco-free living through the company’s Be The First initiative.

WHAT’S CVS HEALTH’S BE THE FIRST INITIATIVE?

CVS Health’s Be The First initiative is a five-year, $50 million initiative to help deliver the first tobacco-free generation and extend the company’s commitment to helping people lead tobacco-free lives. With support and funding through CVS Health and the CVS Health Foundation, Be The First supports comprehensive education, advocacy, tobacco control and healthy behavior programming delivered by a group of national partner organizations, including the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Taking down Tobacco is part of this initiative. For more information about Be The First initiative and CVS Health’s broader commitment to tobacco-free living, please visit www.cvshealth.com/be-the-first.