Texas E-Cigarette and Tobacco Awareness: Referral Course

The Texas E-Cigarette and Tobacco Awareness Program REFERRAL Course is designed for individuals under the age of 21 who are cited for possession of tobacco products, including vapes. This course will provide these individuals with the information and skills necessary to quit and avoid tobacco products in the future. This course should take 3-4 hours to complete and does not have to be completed all at one time.

This course is the state's official vaping (e-cigarette) and tobacco awareness program and is intended for students who are referred through their school or the courts. This course is available for FREE.

As an alternative to punitive measures, such as school suspension or Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP), schools may, at their discretion, refer students in possession of tobacco products to complete this course. Schools are also strongly encouraged to require students who have been referred to In-School Suspension (ISS) as a result of their tobacco/vaping use to complete the course so they may better understand why they use and be motivated to consider quitting.

Students who complete this course will learn about the harmful health effects of vapes and other tobacco products, and how the tobacco industry markets their products to young people. This course features a video series with a teen mental health therapist who discusses how occasional use can turn into an addiction, how the student can track their usage, and why they should track their usage as well as provide tips on developing a support network to help them quit.

This online course meets the requirements of Section 161.253, Texas Health and Safety Code.

A certificate of completion will be available for downloading as well as emailed to the student upon successful completion of the course.

Texas E-Cigarette and Tobacco Awareness: Prevention Course

In addition to the required referral course, schools/ educators are encouraged to promote the PREVENTION course as a way for students to receive awareness education regarding the harmful effects of tobacco use and vaping.

The Texas E-Cigarette and Tobacco Awareness Program PREVENTION Course is designed for students in grades 6-12 who are interested in learning about the harmful health effects of vapes and other tobacco products, how the tobacco industry markets their products to young people, and how young people can build a vape free, tobacco free culture in their school. Students can complete this course on their own or schools can require students to complete the training as part of their vaping/tobacco prevention education efforts. This course is free and should take 3-4 hours to complete but does not have to be completed all at one time.

A certificate of completion will be available for downloading as well as emailed to the student upon successful completion of the course.

The Texas E-Cigarette and Tobacco Awareness Program is funded by the Texas Department of State Health Services through a contract with the Texas School Safety Center. For questions about this program, please contact staff at txssc_yi@txstate.edu.