The American Lung Association® of Ohio understands that the best way to protect our children from falling prey to this deadly addiction is to give them the facts about tobacco in a language they can understand and equip them to stand against the pressure they are sure to face. Determined to make a difference, the American Lung Association® of Ohio linked arms with The Cleveland Clinic Health System to develop a complete youth tobacco prevention program that would make a difference. The result: Word of Mouth.

Word of Mouth is a prevention program for schools that targets children in grades 4 through 8, a time when children are most at risk for initiating tobacco use. Research findings show that students who participate in the Word of Mouth program at all grade levels report stronger non-smoking attitudes across time than students who did not participate in Word of Mouth.

There are two different methods that are used to teach the Word of Mouth program. The first is the Traditional Classroom Program, in which the students are taught by trained health educators who visit the classroom during regular classroom hours. Creative classroom techniques involve students directly in the lessons. This allows the students to not only hear a lecture, but have an experience!

Word of Mouth can also be taught through self-paced, Web-based lessons, which are adapted from the traditional lesson plans. In addition to providing tobacco education, school-age children learn valuable computer skills. Fourth and f ifth grade lessons are currently available, while additional lessons and resources are being developed.

While school programs are good, your children need YOU to talk to them about the dangers of tobacco use. The American Lung Association® of Ohio is committed to work together with teachers and parents to make a difference in the lives of the next generation!