More than 22 percent of high school students and nearly 11 percent of middle school students use tobacco. Every day, thousands of children try their first cigarette or become addicted to tobacco - an addiction that could one-day end their lives prematurely.

What can we do about this? 

• Support Tobacco-Free Environments. 
• Support Tobacco-Free Schools - Tobacco Free Schools help de-normalize tobacco use. Schools with 100 Percent Tobacco Free policies prohibit the use of tobacco on school grounds, in school buildings and at all school sponsored events. Hamilton County Public Health works with schools to develop and promote tobacco-free school policies. For more information, visit the Hamilton County Tobacco-Free Partnership or call (513) 946-7810.
• Decrease Youth Access - In Ohio, you must be 18 years of age to buy or possess tobacco. Storeowners and community members should be diligent in preventing underage youth from purchasing or possessing tobacco products. If you know of a store in your community that sells tobacco to minors, please call (513) 946-7810.
• Support Increases in Tobacco Taxes - Because younger smokers have low incomes, an increase in the cost of tobacco may cause youth to cut down on, quit, or never begin smoking. Contact your local and state legislators about this issue. 
• Offer Youth Prevention Programs – through the network of the Hamilton County Tobacco-Free Partnership prevention programs can be offered to students at your school. Prevention programs such as LifeSkills offer sessions for grades 3-9 on tobacco, self-esteem, decision making and much more. 
• Encourage youth to join stand.

• stand
  stand is a youth movement that empowers us to reject tobacco