What Is the Vape-Free School Initiative?
Through our Vape-Free Schools Initiative, the American Lung Association is helping schools navigate this public health emergency with tools to protect and support both schools and students.
Being recognized as a member of the American Lung Association Vape-Free Schools Initiative means that your school is a leader in supporting students affected by e-cigarettes, offering clear guidance, education and cessation. With a toolkit of resources, we will help you share your efforts with students, parents, staff and community.
How to Join the Vape-Free Schools Initiative
To be a member of the initiative, one or more of your school personnel or designated community partners can complete one of two options:
Teens are getting addicted to vaping and instead of getting education or support, they are getting suspended from school or facing other disciplinary measures. Our INDEPTH® program is a new way to help. The Intervention for Nicotine Dependence: Education, Prevention, Tobacco and Health is a four-session program facilitated in either a one-on-one or group setting. Instead of focusing on punitive measures, INDEPTH teaches students about nicotine dependence, establishing healthy alternatives and how to kick the unhealthy addiction.
Any adult can become a facilitator by taking this free one-hour online training and using the provided resources.
Kids are becoming addicted to vaping in increasing numbers and are unable to quit on their own—just like with traditional cigarettes. Not On Tobacco® (N-O-T) was designed with teenagers in mind. It takes a holistic approach with each session using different interactive learning strategies based on Social Cognitive Theory of behavior change. This encourages a voluntary change for youth ages 14 to 19.
Adults can become facilitators of this 10-session program for $400 a person and training includes a 3-year certification.
Learn More: ACT to Address Youth Cessation
Once the training program(s) are completed, your school will be recognized as an American Lung Association Vape-Free School. You'll also have access to the Vape-Free Schools Toolkit which includes important policy guidance and ways to share your accomplishments with students and parents, staff and community members.
