Education and increasing awareness are essential to creating the first tobacco-free and nicotine-free generation. Most people don’t realize the negative impact tobacco and nicotine products have on our society and our health. So, we’ve created easily accessible resources that can be downloaded to help you educate your peers and community members about the harmful effects of tobacco use.
Say What! PowerPoints
These presentations were created by Say What! Teen Ambassadors, College Ambassadors, and staff and were presented during numerous statewide trainings including the Say What! Action Summits and annual Texas Tobacco-Free Conference.
From early e-cigarettes to today’s high-tech devices, vaping products have changed rapidly over time. This presentation examines how vapes have evolved in design, technology, and appeal, and it will walk you through the progression from early e-cigarettes to the newest devices on the market. You’ll learn how designs, flavors, and technology have changed, how these products are marketed, and why their evolution raises concerns for youth health and prevention efforts.
Dive into the growing world of synthetic nicotine and its rise in today’s tobacco landscape. This presentation will break down how synthetic nicotine is different, what products it is found in, and how it is being marketed to young people. It also takes a closer look at why these products are concerning and how they impact health, while sharing insights to help you stay informed and make healthier choices.
Step back in time and explore how the tobacco industry has developed from colonial America to present day. This presentation highlights key moments that shaped the industry, from early tobacco farming to the rise of public health awareness. You’ll explore how the tobacco industry has adapted over time, the impact it has had on communities, and why its history still matters for today’s prevention efforts.
Take a closer look at the relationship between vaping and teen mental health with this presentation. This presentation explores the underlying reasons why young people may turn to vaping, including stress, anxiety, and social influences. It also explains how nicotine affects the developing brain and how dependence and withdrawal can impact emotional well-being. You can expect to gain a deeper understanding of the cycle between vaping and mental health, along with insights to support healthier coping strategies.
Take a closer look at how tobacco companies use social media to shape perceptions and influence behavior among young people. This presentation explores how social media contributes to the normalization of tobacco products, the strategies companies use to advertise online, and the rise of hidden promotions that may not always be easy to recognize. This presentation shows how to identify these tactics, think critically about what they see online, and gain a better understanding of the role social media plays in the tobacco industry’s marketing tactics.
This presentation explores the short-term and long-term physical health effects of vaping. It breaks down how vaping impacts the body, from immediate effects like lung irritation and increased heart rate to the long-term risks. You’ll learn how the chemicals in vape products affect the lungs, heart, and other organs, and why these effects are especially concerning for young people.
Explore the impacts of secondhand and thirdhand smoke and aerosol with this presentation. This presentation covers what these terms mean, how exposure happens, and the ways harmful chemicals can linger in the air and on surfaces long after use. It highlights the health risks associated with exposure, especially for youth and vulnerable populations, and why creating tobacco-free environments is critical for protecting overall health.
What does addiction really mean, and how does it affect the brain? This presentation breaks down the science of addiction, focusing on how nicotine interacts with the brain to create dependence. It also examines the physical and mental effects of nicotine addiction, including cravings and withdrawal, and how these can make quitting challenging.
Texas has a long and powerful history in the fight against Big Tobacco, and the momentum hasn’t stopped. This guidebook explores the evolution of tobacco prevention across the state, highlighting major milestones and frontline voices. You’ll see how youth have played a leading role in driving real change through a bold statewide movement. Be inspired by where we’ve been and discover how you can help shape what’s next.
Vapes may look simple, but there’s a lot happening beneath the surface. This presentation unpacks the evolution of e-cigarettes, how they work, what’s inside them, and why those ingredients are so harmful. You’ll also explore how these products are engineered to target youth through high nicotine levels, sleek designs, and sweet flavors. It’s everything the industry doesn’t want you to know in one place.
Tobacco doesn’t just harm the body; it harms the planet too. This presentation explores how tobacco is grown, cured, and manufactured, and the serious environmental damage it creates along the way. From deforestation and pollution to the industry’s greenwashing tactics, you’ll uncover the full cost of tobacco and how far the industry goes to cover it up.
Not all tobacco products look the same, but they all cause harm. This presentation breaks down the health risks of every type of tobacco product, including cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, hookahs, and vapes. You’ll learn how each one affects the body and why none of them are truly “safer” options. Smoked, chewed, or inhaled, the damage is real, and it’s time to face the facts.
Create your own presentation with our Say What! themed slide deck. Whether you're giving an educational presentation or recruiting members to join your youth group, you can use this template to help you represent being a part of the Say What! movement.
Educational Handouts
Say What! educational handouts include flyers, fact cards, and infographics that discuss a variety of tobacco prevention topics including e-cigarettes, hookah, smokeless tobacco and much more. You can download these handouts in English or Spanish for any school or community project or as a leave behind when speaking to elected officials, school board members, school administrators, or community organizations and businesses.
Tobacco-Free School Signage
Does your school know they are required to be tobacco and nicotine-free? Help your school clearly communicate, enforce, and support a tobacco-free,
e-cigarette free campus!
Guides
To enhance your facilitation skills, tobacco prevention activities and presentation efforts, we’ve created a variety of guides and activities you can view and implement with ease.
Say What! EST. 2011
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Phone
512.245.8082
Mailing Address
Texas School Safety Center
ATTN: Say What Program
Texas State University
601 University Drive
San Marcos, TX 78666
Say What! was created and designed by young people from across Texas and connects students interested in eliminating tobacco from their schools and communities. The Say What! movement is funded by the Texas Department of State Health Services through a contract with the Texas School Safety Center at Texas State University.
