NCIDC Tobacco Use Prevention Education

05/31/2026

Happy World No To***co Day!

05/31/2026

May 31 is recognized as World No To***co Day. The theme for 2026 is “Unmask the Appeal-Countering Ni****ne and To***co Addiction” This is an effort to combat the tactics that the to***co industry uses to get people hooked. This includes candy and other flavors used in e-ci******es, or vapes, that enticeyounger people to try out this hazardous invention.

The use of to***co products is addictive because it contains ni****ne. Use of to***co in any form has a wide range of health impacts such as cancer, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and increased risk of coronary disease and heart attacks. The use of to***co leads to more than 8 million deaths each year worldwide, including 1.2 million as the result of exposure to second-hand smoke.

American Indians have long used to***co as a sacred medicine, it is used as an offering, as part of prayers and is used ceremonially not recreationally. In more recent times American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) have started the improper use of to***co and suffer the effects. The Center for Disease Control has posted that “On average, AI/AN people are more likely to smoke ci******es than other racial or ethnic groups in the U.S. and AI/AN people, compared to the other racial and ethnic groups, have a higher risk of death and disease caused by using commercial to***co products like ci******es, smokeless to***co, and cigars.” According to the organization Keep It Sacred “More than 1 in 4 AI/AN adults smoke ci******es. At 26%, that's 1.5 times greater than the US smoking rate. Out of the 10 leading causes of death among AI/AN, 6 of them have been linked to smoking.”

The American Lung Association has assistance for those who want to stop the commercial use of to***co. To get info go to: https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking/i-want-to-quit

For additional resources and information go to:

VIDEO: The Dark Truth Behind Ni****ne Addiction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYKaedCm0Ok

VIDEO: Keeping To***co Sacred
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iLptENxinE&t=38s

https://www.cdc.gov/to***co-health-equity/collection/aian.html

https://keepitsacred.itcmi.org/

https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-no-to***co-day/2026

05/06/2026

The date of one of the presentations has changed. Here is an updated flyer. Thank you!

05/04/2026

Campaign for To***co-Free Kids

05/04/2026

Ni****ne pouches such as ZYN are small bags with ni****ne and other chemicals, such as formaldehyde, in them. They are placed between the lip and the gum to allow absorption of the ni****ne into the body. Although there is no to***co in these products, they still pose many health risks. This includes gum disease and recession, gastrointestinal problems, increased heart rate, and the potential to become addicted.

For more information or for resources to quit ni****ne use, go to to***cofreecny.org

05/04/2026

F1 banned cigarette sponsorships in 2006. But Big To***co is back on the track. 🏎️ Today we are joining Campaign for To***co-Free Kids and more than 160 organizations in calling on F1 to end its relationships with to***co companies and ban sponsorships for all to***co products, including ni****ne pouches.

F1 is actively expanding its youth audience by partnering with beloved kids’ brands including Disney, LEGO and Hot Wheels. By sponsoring F1 teams, to***co companies are reaching the same young people F1 has worked hard to attract. F1 must not be complicit in these efforts and act now to prohibit all to***co sponsorships.

🔗 https://on.lung.org/47aHjlA

12/20/2025

Teen ni****ne use has harmful effects on developing brains and can lead to addiction. Ni****ne actually changes the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for memory, learning and attention. Talk to teens about e-ci******es. Parent resources are available at http://alaskaquitline.com/teen-cessation-support/

12/20/2025

Learn the Truth About Teen Ni****ne/To***co Use

Ci******es may not be as popular with teens anymore, but ni****ne addiction is far from over. Vapes, flavored to***co, and ni****ne pouches are hooking a new generation. The truth? Ni****ne harms the brain, increases anxiety, and makes quitting incredibly difficult.

Stay informed and talk to your teen before dependency starts: https://sumtercap.org/resources

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12/19/2025

Check out DNIEC's latest newsletter, including updates on our To***co Use Prevention Education outreach! Feel free to share! Thank you! California Department of Education To***co Free Del Norte

11/21/2025