The Texas School Safety Center hosts two virtual Say What! Summits during each school year – Red Ribbon Week and towards the end of the year in May. Summits provide a variety of tobacco prevention education for 6th-12th grade students to help reduce the harmful effects of tobacco, nicotine, and e-cigarette use in Texas.
Summits are led by the Say What! Teen Ambassadors who collaborate with staff to develop engaging educational content that covers vaping and teen mental health, teen addiction, nicotine vapes vs. THC vapes, targeted marketing from the vaping industry, how to help a friend quit vaping, and more. Each summit also provides access to a variety of advocacy activities that youth can complete on their own as a group with their classmates and friends.
Summits are led by Say What! Teen Ambassadors who are select high school and college students from across Texas and have been trained to be statewide advocates for youth tobacco prevention.
This year’s virtual summit season has ended. Please check back in September to learn about the 2025 Red Ribbon Week Say What! Virtual Summit.
You can also scroll down to review previous virtual summits.
This year’s virtual summit focuses on the misinformation about vapes and even though vaping seems safer than smoking, safer doesn’t always mean safe. In this “You’re a Limited-Edition Summit,” the Say What! Teen Ambassadors discuss how a vape device works, some of the dangers found inside, the dangers of secondhand aerosol, healthy alternatives to vaping, emerging products that may seem “safer,” and the devastating impact of addiction.
Ever wondered how the tobacco industry cleverly intertwined itself with the world of entertainment, like Hollywood? In this virtual summit, the Teen Ambassadors discussed deep rooted connections between tobacco companies and Hollywood’s golden age, how the industry subtly promotes their products in online streaming shows, music, TV, social media, and video games, and the negative impact of these tactics on youth. By the end, you’ll be able to discover the hidden strategies that have shaped both media and public perception as the tobacco industry’s entertainment takeover is revealed.
Download the digital kit to access a PowerPoint version of the information that was shared during the summit!
With thousands of flavors, bright colors, catchy brand names, and concealable device designs it’s no wonder youth choose to vape. Join us for this year’s virtual summit as the Say What! Teen Ambassadors discuss the evolution of these dangerous products. You’ll learn about the harmful chemicals found inside e-juice, the difference between nicotine and THC, damaging health effects on the body and the brain, and damaging effects on our environment.
In honor of mental health awareness month, participants will also receive access to several advocacy activities to help inform others about the impact nicotine and THC has on the brain and how to help support a friend to quit vaping.
The 2023 Red Ribbon Week Virtual Summit featured the Say What! Teen Ambassadors discussing the impact of vaping nicotine and THC on our health and wellness, the deceptive tactics the tobacco industry uses to deceive youth into using their products, how youth can help a friend quit vaping, and what youth and adults can do to join the fight.
Watching this summit is as easy as clicking the Watch Here button or visiting the Say What! YouTube channel. This summit is designed to last only 30 minutes long, so we encourage everyone to take time out to watch this very informational summit!
Watch the recording, download tips on creating a healthier wellbeing, and to access a variety of advocacy activities.
The 2023 Virtual Summit featured the Say What! Teen Ambassadors discussing the evolution of vapes and the increasing level of danger of vaping on the body and those exposed to secondhand aerosol, how the tobacco industry continues to target youth, women, Hispanic/Latinx communities, and Black/African American communities.
Click on the Virtual Summit button to watch the recording, download tips on creating a healthier wellbeing, and to access a variety of advocacy activities.
The 2022 Red Ribbon Week Virtual Summit featured the Say What! Teen Ambassadors discussing common vaping myths, the dangers of vaping nicotine and marijuana, how young people can help their friends who may be addicted, a few easy advocacy opportunities.
Watch the recording, download tips on creating a healthier wellbeing, and to access a variety of advocacy activities.
By joining the Say What! Movement you not only have access to tons of free resources to help you inform your school or community, but you receive access to elite trainings and the ability to connect with hundreds of other like-minded youth across the state.
Any existing youth group can be a part of the movement, or you can create an entirely new group. Take a look at how members are creating their tobacco-free society. Then, join the movement!
Don’t forget to follow @TxSayWhat on social media.
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.
