Don't Wait! Advocate!
Featured Video
Have you ever wondered what the word advocacy means? Or what an advocate really does? Learn about the different levels of advocacy work, how easy it is to get involved, and how you can step up your advocacy efforts.
Why Risk It?
While almost everyone knows tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death, there’s plenty more people don’t know. See how well some do when quizzed about industry manipulation and then, learn more about the dangers of tobacco and nicotine use below!
Tobacco Facts
Say What! Members Testimonials
This is why
How do you Live the Life?
Hear from a few Say What! advocates about how and why they live their life tobacco-free! Want to share your story with us? Write us at TxSayWhat@txstate.edu.
Watch more Say What! member testimonials about the effect of tobacco use in their life and why they live tobacco-free below.
Victor J. DeNoble, Ph.D. was recruited in 1980 by the Phillip Morris Research Center to build a secret research lab and to develop a cigarette with reduced heart risk. After successfully identifying a nicotine substitute that did not elevate the heart rate in animal models, his attempts to publish his work were suppressed by Philip Morris. He was eventually fired and his laboratory and data were seized. In 1994, after a decade of being silenced by a secrecy agreement, Dr. DeNoble became the first whistle-blower to testify before Congress about his research conducted within the tobacco industry. His research showed that nicotine has addictive properties similar to other drugs of addiction. His congressional testimony was the cornerstone for sweeping changes in public policy regarding
tobacco use, the national tobacco settlement and the events leading up to President Obama’s signing into law the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act in 2009. Dr. DeNoble is also the subject of the film documentary "Addiction Incorporated" released in 2011.
Since his congressional testimony, Dr. DeNoble has been speaking to a wide range of audiences about his experience in the tobacco industry and providing education about the science of drug addiction.
the denoble files
Victor Denoble, ph.D
Resource Videos
The Fabulous Life of Cigarettes
Cigarettes get a lot of love in their lifetime. Between the pesticides and trees used to make them and the fact that they stick around for a while, they’ve got it pretty good. The planet? Not so much. This is one Fabulous Life that needs to end!
Dangers of e-cigarettes, vaping and JUULs: How to talk to kids
Did you know nicotine delivery devices are being used at epidemic rates by children and teens? Hear from experts at MD Anderson Cancer Center explain why e-cigarettes, vape pens and JUUL's are not safe for youth and young people.
Phone
Toll Free: 877.304.2727
Local: 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.