The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) recognize the importance of the role that youth play in creating lasting, positive changes concerning tobacco prevention and control.

To this end, the Texas School Safety Center at Texas State University designs the Say What! Texas Tobacco-Free Conference to be the most engaging, fun, and effective experience in helping youth and adults find their passion for tobacco prevention.

The Say What! Conference offers a variety of opportunities for all youth groups working on tobacco prevention related issues, tobacco-free policies, and other projects that may be occurring in the school or community.

Youth participants are able to attend a variety of breakout sessions that are led by the Say What! Teen Ambassadors, program staff, Say What! youth groups, and experts from diverse fields discussing a range of tobacco and vaping prevention topics. Youth groups also choose a project to plan while at conference to help educate and empower their peers and community members to live life nicotine-free.

Sponsors and other adult participants are able to attend specialized sessions that focus on developing teen leaders, maximizing a youth group’s efforts, challenges and successes from other group sponsors, emerging products, and more. Adults who are new to the Say What! program are also able to attend an information session to learn more about the program, resources offered, and the best way to get involved in the movement.