Tobacco is Changing
Meet the next generation of addictive tobacco products
E-cigarettes, vapes and smokeless nicotine products are being made increasingly appealing to young people — and are also becoming easier to hide from adults than ever. These products are offered in sweet candy flavors to attract a younger generation, and may be disguised as toys, handheld video games and other gadgets. In fact, today’s tobacco products don’t look anything like a pack of cigarettes. The scariest part? It’s all designed to attract and hook our youngest generation.
The tobacco industry has found ways to get around restrictions. They’re developing new products and tactics so fast, it’s tough for parents to recognize tobacco when they see it.
It can be hard to talk to teens about the terrible damage tobacco products and nicotine can do. But that can change right now. We’re here to help you spot the latest, most manipulative ways these companies are selling nicotine—right when kids are in a particularly vulnerable place, seeking ways to help them cope with the stress in their lives.
Our teens are stressed. Nicotine makes it worse.
Our teens are stressed. Nicotine makes it worse. The stress young people in Wisconsin feel is real. Around 70% of teens say mental health issues like anxiety and depression are a major problem for young people their age. They’re struggling to cope—and often turn to vapes and other addictive nicotine products that pretend to be “stress relievers” for help. That’s a real problem, because studies shows that nicotine can actually make anxiety and depression worse. When teens vape, they stress more—so they vape more. It’s a dangerous loop that damages their mental health and can leave our young adults with a lifelong addiction.
Share these fast facts about tobacco
Surround the kids in your life with caring, well-informed adults. Share what you know about tobacco’s dangers with parents, teachers, and other caregivers.
Take the next step
Get to know the new face of tobacco. Being informed, and getting involved, can help your kids stay healthy and tobacco-free.
Tips for schools
School plays a huge role in young people’s lives, and that means teachers can have a huge impact on underage tobacco use.
Find tips and tools for talking to students, updating your school’s tobacco policies, cessation policies, and more.
The costs of menthol
Research shows the minty-flavor of menthol makes tobacco more appealing to youth, easier to use, and tougher to quit.
It’s also one of the main tactics the tobacco industry has historically used to market to some communities.
They're not playing around
As tobacco cigarette use has gone down around the world, tobacco companies have to come up with new ways to attract new customers — and the next generation is their best bet.
In fact, nearly half of all young people who tried e-cigarettes and vaping said it was because of the flavor, smell or design — products designed to attract underage users and hook them on nicotine.