Teens Against Tobacco Use

Advisor: Mrs. Ellen Orben, 296-1860

Teens Against Tobacco Use is a program designed to influence youngsters to avoid tobacco and to become advocates for a tobacco-free America. T.A.T.U. focuses on building decision-making and problem-solving skills. High school students develop teaching skills and lesson plans to teach DV elementary students about the dangers of tobacco use. Younger children are impressed by teenage role models and enthusiastically understand and accept the information they present.

There are approximately sixty members in the TATU program. They are divided into groups of 5 - 6 students. Each group is expected to get together to develop their presentation. A group leader is assigned to coordinate meetings. Periodically, the groups are asked to stay after school to go over their ideas and help add to the presentation if necessary. An all-day training takes place in October at Riverview Restaurant- a fun-filled day fun ded by the Tobacco Free Coalition of Pike County.

When all the presentations are ready, groups visit each 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade class in the district, in addition to the sixth grade students at DVES and Shohola ES. The students are taken out of school for these visits for one-half day on three separate days. These trips are spread out as much as possible so those students are not missing several days in a row.

The T.A.T.U members gain much enjoyment and satisfaction by participating in this program. Our high school students also benefit by becoming leaders in their school and community, accepting the responsibility and commitment of belonging to a club and reinforcing their own decision not to use tobacco products.