Tobacco Free Youth

Smoking and COVID-19

Being a current or former cigarette smoker increases your risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

More than 103,000 kids under the age of 18 in South Carolina will die prematurely from dangerous and addictive commercial tobacco products. Kids who use ENDS products like e-cigarettes or vapes are more likely to become ever day commercial tobacco users. 2019 statewide surveillance efforts show that 30% of high school students report current use of commercial tobacco products, of which more than half report using e-cigarettes or vapes.

DHEC DTPC staff work with youth organizations to provide education about the SC Youth Access to Tobacco Prevention Act, which now includes e-cigarettes. Staff also provide technical assistance and guidance to school administrators about tobacco-free school policy, appropriate commercial tobacco prevention curricula, and promote a variety of educational and awareness resources to parents and adults who work with youth.

Statistics gathered in 2017 show that statewide:

4.9 percent of all high school students smoke cigarettes
27.5 percent of high school students currently use some form of tobacco
1,800 kids under age 18 in SC become new daily smokers each year
22.1 percent of high school students use e-cigarettes or vapes

While rates for smoking have decreased, rates of using e-cigarettes or vapes have increased at an alarming rate. DTPC works with youth organizations to provide education about the SC Youth Access to Tobacco Prevention Act which now includes e-cigarettes, youth tobacco prevention guidance for school administrators, appropriate youth tobacco prevention school curricula, and resources for parents.

DTPC Approved Youth Tobacco Prevention Curricula

DTPC encourages schools to incorporate evidence-based curricula into their school health classes to prevent commercial tobacco use and nicotine addiction. For tobacco-free school information, please call (803) 898-2282.

The resources listed below help explain the harmful effects of tobacco use and provide suggestions on how to prevent young people from using tobacco in all forms. This information is useful for anyone interested in teaching youth and young adults about the negative health effects associated with tobacco.

Programs currently approved by DHEC's Division of Tobacco Prevention and Control:

The resources shared below can be used to help explain the harmful effects of commercial tobacco use and can provide suggestions on how to prevent young people from becoming addicted to dangerous commercial tobacco products. This information is useful for anyone interested in teaching youth and young adults about the negative health effects associated with commercial tobacco products. Use these links to national organizations, programs, toolkits and reports to design or enhance local youth prevention efforts.

National Organizations

ACS- American Cancer Society
ALA- American Lung Association
CDC- Centers for Disease Control
FACT-Campaign for Tobacco-free Kids
Legacy- American Legacy Foundation
National African American Tobacco Prevention Network (NAATP)
Oral Health America
US Department of Health and Human Services, USFDA- Food and Drug Administration:

Programs

Toolkits

Legacy

Reports

2012 U.S. Surgeon General Report

Youth Access to Tobacco Prevention Act of 2006

The Youth Access to Tobacco Prevention Act of 2006 (Section 16-17-500, as amended, Code of Laws of SC, 1976), states that youth under the age of 18 years must not purchase, attempt to purchase, possess, or attempt to possess a tobacco product or an alternative nicotine product or present or offer proof of age that is false or fraudulent for the purpose of purchasing or possessing a tobacco product or an alternative nicotine product. A minor who violates this provision may be subject to penalties including a civil fine up to $25, to include all applicable court costs, assessments, and surcharges.

In lieu of the civil fine, the court may require a minor to successfully complete a Department of Health and Environmental Control approved smoking cessation or tobacco prevention program, or to perform not more than five hours of community service for a charitable institution. DTPC approves only those smoking cessation or tobacco prevention programs that meet the requirements of a proven and effective program. Through cooperation with local organizations, DTPC will maintain an updated database of available local programs. Submission of these programs or requests for further information may be directed to the DTPC staff at (803) 898-2282.

Currently Approved Programs

S.C. Tobacco Quitline Youth Support Program

For areas in the state without trained facilitators in any of the above curricula, DTPC recommends the S. C. Youth Support Program (YSP), which provides age-appropriate services and resources to youth who violate the state's Youth Access to Tobacco Prevention Act and are assigned an alternative punishment. This service is telephone based and toll-free, and eliminates problems such as access to services, transportation, and scheduling for youth. Referral form pads are available from DHEC for magistrates and municipal court judges to appoint youth into the program. (Get the PDF of order form.) Youth receive certificates to notify the court that they have both enrolled in and completed the program. This program is available at no charge to participants or to the court.

Additional programs and service will be posted to this website upon approval or when available. Please check the site often for the most up-to-date listing. DHEC is not responsible for costs associated with the use of these programs.

The act also requires all tobacco retailers to post signage regarding legal age of purchase that also displays the SC Tobacco Quitline (1-800-QUIT-NOW) information. Retailers can access that sign here.