Health Ed Pros

11/05/2025

Stories like Jane’s are powerful and can inspire others to live to***co free. That’s why we have started collecting personal stories about to***co. Share yours at this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/to***costory

Jane is from Muncie and began smoking ci******es at the age of 15 and continued to smoke for just over 30 years. Her mom and dad both smoked growing up and never discussed the health concerns with her. She started just to fit in with her friends. After 4 kids and a heart attack, Jane decided her family would come first. By using ni****ne gum, she kicked her addiction! She had a special message to current high school students with va**ng. Don't start to fit in with friends, it's not worth it in the end.

10/31/2025

Did you know the week of October 23rd - 31st is Red Ribbon Week? Take a few minutes to watch this video from our partners at Indiana Latino Institute to learn about the history and purpose of this week. Stay drug free!

Red Ribbon Week is a special time each year when young people across the country come together to learn about the dangers of drugs and make a promise to stay...

10/29/2025

WHO IS READY FOR SOME CANDY!? 🍬🍫
We sure are! 🙌🎃
Tell us your favorite candy in the comments! 👻

10/28/2025

Don’t be tricked my Big To***co!
🍭🍫👻🎃

🎃 Parents, Beware! Halloween: Treats or To***co Tricks? 🍬🍭

During this season of costumes and fun, our kids are exposed to more than just candy. The to***co industry has a long history of using deceptive and subtle tactics to hook young people, and Halloween is no exception!

🛑 How does the to***co industry use holidays like Halloween to influence our children?

🚨 "Kid-Friendly" Advertising: Products with sweet or fruity flavors that mimic popular candies.
🚨 Appealing Packaging: Colorful designs or packaging that resemble popular sweet brands.
🚨 Subtle Messaging: Event sponsorships or high visibility at points of sale frequented by youth, which normalizes the product.
🚨 Influencers & Social Media: While not always directly tied to Halloween, the use of influencers and trends to make va**ng and to***co seem "cool" is constantly present.

✅ Protect your kids from the to***co industry's "tricks" this Halloween and all year long! Their health is not a game.

***co ***coTricks

10/24/2025

We are influenced by many things in our world, especially on social media! Check out this de-influencing video on a chemical found in v**e products. 🧐

This content creator uses a familiar social media format called "Get Ready with Me" to explain why va**ng is harmful in a teen-friendly way.

10/22/2025

A scary thought, but an important reminder! 👻 🎃 🍬

10/21/2025

It might be time to have the talk with your kids...about va**ng! Waiting until High School is too late for this important conversation.

This free one-hour online lesson provides the information and tools you need for effective communication about prevention as well as treatment.

Think your kid wouldn’t v**e? Statistics say they probably will. It’s time to find out what you need to know about why kids v**e and the dangers, signs and symptoms. Talk to your child about va**ng.

10/17/2025

Tanya and Alison had a great week attending the American School Health Association conference in Denver, CO! They gained a lot of information and have new ideas for program implementation!

10/14/2025

An important distinction between Sacred and Commercial To***co!

On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we honor and respect the traditional, sacred use of to***co—very different from today’s commercial to***co products that harm our kids. Let’s protect youth from addiction while recognizing cultural traditions.

10/10/2025

Tanya and Alison are at the Indiana Headstart Conference in Noblesville! They have been talking with many of our Breathe partners and playing Jeopardy and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.

10/07/2025

Fall is in the air! 🍁 Tanya and Alison traveled to Grant County last week to participate in Fall Fest with our long-standing Breathe Partner, Carey Services!

We had coloring sheets for the kids and played to***co-themed Jeopardy with the adults. It was great to interact with lots of families and network with other community organizations doing great work in Grant County!

10/03/2025

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Did you know one way to reduce your risk of breast cancer is to avoid to***co products? Here is a list of 10 other things you can do to help lower your risk!

How can I reduce my risk of breast cancer? Learn research-backed strategies and how BCRF is advancing breast cancer prevention research.