Youth Programs

AADAC's youth tobacco reduction programs are part of AADAC's overall range of services for youth. In Alberta, 15% of youth aged 15 to 19 smoke. The youth smoking rate is higher for males than females. The smoking rate is highest among 20- to 24-year-olds at 30%.

Most smokers start smoking when they are teenagers, making youth prevention critical to reducing the number of smokers in Alberta and decreasing the long-term burden on our health-care system.

• Alberta Spit Tobacco Education Program (ASTEP)
  A partnership between AADAC and the (American) National Spit Tobacco Education Program (NSTEP). ASTEP focuses on prevention and targets areas of high use, including rural communities, and sports such as hockey and rodeo.
  
  
• Building Leadership for Action in Schools Today (BLAST)
  A school-based tobacco education and prevention program delivered by the Alberta Lung Association and funded by AADAC. BLAST offers junior high school students throughout Alberta the opportunity to take part in weekend conferences in northern, central and southern Alberta.
  
  
• Kick the Nic
  10-week cessation program for youth aged 13 to 17 that makes use of a support group format with an adult facilitator. The goal is to help youth who smoke quit and prepare for future quit attempts.
  
  
• Teaming Up for Tobacco-Free Kids
  A provincewide school-based prevention program for kids in grades 4, 5 and 6.