Announcing Smokefree Teen

Nearly 90 percent of adult smokers began smoking before they turned 18. And tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death, causing more than 5 million deaths per year worldwide. Something's got to give. That's why the National Cancer Institute's Tobacco Control Research Branch has developed Smokefree Teen (SfT). SfT is a new smoking cessation resource aimed at helping teens quit smoking and take control of their health. To appeal to a teen audience that spends much of its time online and on the phone, SfT provides targeted behavioral support through a variety of platforms:

• teen.smokefree.gov—A website offering evidence-based smoking cessation information and interactive tools designed especially for teens
• SmokefreeTXT—A free text messaging program developed for teens to provide 24/7 encouragement, advice, and tips to help teen smokers quit for good
• QuitSTART—A free mobile app delivering cessation tips, mood management tools, crave tracking, personalized progress reports, and community support (Coming Soon)

Check out the recent NCI Press Release highlighting the launch of Smokefree Teen:
http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/2011/SmokeFreeTeenTXT

We invite you to join SfT and help teens make healthier, smokefree decisions. You can help us spread the word about SfT in any of the following ways:

• Share the SfT flyer—Quitting smoking is tough, but totally worth the quit; help us let teens know it's easier with support
• Tell your network about the SfT Network—Help us start the conversation; follow, "like,” and share:
  • @SmokefreeTeen
  • Smokefree Teen Facebook
  • Smokefree Teen Tumblr

Sample Tweets:

• @SmokefreeTeen has tools to help teens #quitsmoking for good. Spread the word: #itainteasy but it's #worththequit: http://teen.smokefree.gov/
• 1 in 3 teens sends 100+ text msgs a day. Send a few to SmokefreeTXT. #QuitSmoking on your terms: http://bit.ly/tNL8LS #worththequit

Sample Facebook Posts:

• Nearly 90 percent of adult smokers began smoking before they turned 18. Help @SmokefreeTeen decrease thatnumber. Give teens the tools to quit smoking for good. Visit http://teen.smokefree.gov/ and spread the word.
• 1 in 3 teens sends more than 100 text messages a day. Let the 1 in 5 teens who smoke know they can send a few of those to SmokefreeTXT and quit smoking on their terms. http://bit.ly/tNL8LS