We're so excited about the possibilities of what we can do with this grant to convince kids to avoid tobacco. It's the first fully implemented tobacco education program funded by the state's share of the national tobacco settlement. The four schools awarded grants competed with 23 others across the state.
Tobacco is the most preventable cause of death in the United States.
They think that will be more effective than having adults in it, lecturing them. So if it's initiated by teens, addressed by teens and directed by teens, and not from the top down, I think it will be successful. Ruppert said the students are excited about the program and the grant, and both will enhance their educational experience. The Teen Tobacco Education and Prevention Project was established through LB1436, which the Legislature passed last year. The awards for the sponsors, students and schools are not deducted from the grant amount.