Who is RESIST?
Big Tobacco’s Worst Nightmare
Resist is against the tobacco industry, not the tobacco user.
We are RESIST
Resist advocates for the de-normalization of tobacco use among Kansas’ youth and unites communities to create one voice to stand up against the tobacco industry. Youth not only participate in tobacco control prevention activities structured by this program, but they help design and implement them utilizing the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Best Practices for Youth Engagement. This program was designed to influence both the state and local levels of tobacco control and prevention.
Resist is made possible with the support of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Tobacco Free Kansas Coalition.
EMPOWER AND EDUCATE
Resist uses advocacy to expose, educate, and
empower teens to stand up to big tobacco
CHANGE BIG TOBACCO’S INFLUENCE IN KANSAS
Big tobacco is powerful, but
youth voices are stronger
REDUCE TOBACCO USE
We want to create the first tobacco free generation
Resources
Internal tobacco industry documents show that tobacco companies have a long history of using flavors to hook kids.
90% of adult smokers began smoking at or before the age of 18.
Smoking is the leading cause of death and disease in the United States.
The 2021 NYTS found that about 85% of youth e-cigarette users use flavored products.
61,000 kids under the age of 18 and alive in Kansas will ultimately prematurely die from smoking.
Big tobacco needs young people to replace those who die from using their products.
There is significant evidence that e-cigarette use among youth increases the risk of ever using combustible cigarettes among youth and young adults.
The tobacco industry spends over $70.6 million in marketing every year in Kansas alone.
When we say youth-led we mean it!
The Resist Youth Leadership Council is the guiding body of the Resist Program. The 2022 Resist Youth Leadership Council is made up of 13 youth leaders from around the state who determine the program’s priorities, goals, strategies, and activities. Each member serves a one year repeatable term representing their school and community.
RESIST Chapters in Kansas 2023
Resist chapters are locally established youth tobacco coalitions that work on peer-to-peer education, awareness, and policies that prevent tobacco use.