Youth and Young Adult Efforts

People who do not start using tobacco by age 18 will most likely never start.[1] Nearly 9 out of 10 people who smoke (about 87 percent) started smoking by age 18, and nearly 99 percent started by age 26.[2] However, new e-cigarette devices and other emerging tobacco products are regularly introduced and target youth. As a result, more youth are using e-cigarettes, which reverses the years of progress made to decrease youth tobacco use.

Peers Against Tobacco (PAT)

The Texas Tobacco Prevention and Control Program contracts with the University of Texas at Austin to lead PAT, which is a tobacco prevention and control initiative for colleges and universities in Texas.

PAT implements a peer-led initiative to eliminate all forms of tobacco use on college campuses across Texas. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Using curriculum and outreach campaigns.
  • Creating policy implementation guides.
  • Maintaining a database of all tobacco-related college policies.

The Texas College Tobacco Policy Database lists the campus tobacco policies of postsecondary institutions in Texas and rates each policy based on level of comprehensiveness.

To learn more about PAT, visit PeersAgainstTobacco.org.

Students, Adults, and Youth Working Hard Against Tobacco (Say What!)

The Texas Tobacco Prevention and Control Program contracts with the Texas School Safety Center at Texas State University to lead Say What!, the statewide tobacco prevention and control youth movement.

Say What!:

  • Educates middle and high school students through mini-grant projects (free “projects in a box” that include well-designed tobacco prevention-focused materials).
  • Raises awareness through social media and other campaigns.
  • Convenes a statewide conference and regional summits to educate and provide youth with the experience and skills needed to become tobacco prevention and control leaders in their communities.

The Statewide Youth Advisory Board, also known as Teen Ambassadors, provide guidance on Say What! and are leaders in their community and throughout the state. They educate peers, adults, and stakeholders on the harmful effects of tobacco use.

To learn more about or join Say What!, visit TXSayWhat.com.

Texas Youth Tobacco Awareness Program (TYTAP)

The Texas Tobacco Prevention and Control Program contracts with Texas A&M University to administer TYTAP, which is a program for individuals under age 21 who are cited for possession of tobacco products.

The current program structure is that Texas A&M University trains and certifies TYTAP instructors who then offer TYTAP classes for youth. TYTAP youth classes are for youth referred by the court, their school, or a parent/guardian. TYTAP classes provide youth with the information and skills necessary to quit tobacco and avoid tobacco products in the future.

Information for the courts can be found here, and information for schools can be found here. For questions regarding TYTAP youth classes, the TYTAP instructor certification process, or other general questions email Tobacco.Free@dshs.texas.gov. For more information about TYTAP instructor trainings, other than what is listed below email TYTAP@tamu.edu.  

TYTAP Youth Classes[a]

Find a TYTAP Class and Instructor Near You:

  • TYTAP Instructor List A: This list is current as of January 31, 2024 and includes all certified TYTAP Instructors in Texas. Use List A to find an instructor in your county and contact them using the phone number provided about a TYTAP class. If there is not an instructor on List A for your county, then find an instructor in a nearby county or contact an instructor on List B below.
  • TYTAP Instructor List B: This list is current as of January 31, 2024 and includes certified TYTAP Instructors in Texas approved to conduct virtual classes. You can contact the instructors on List B if you were unable to find an instructor in your county or a nearby county on List A.

Verify a TYTAP Instructor Certification:

  • Step 1: Visit Online Licensing Services.
  • Step 2: Under Check License Status, click License Search.
  • Step 3: Search by Name for a Specific License Type.
  • Step 4: Select Texas Youth Tobacco Awareness Program from the dropdown menu for License Type and click Next.
  • Step 5: Enter the name of the instructor off List A or B that you want to verify.
  • Step 6: Click Search.

TYTAP Instructor Certification Process

New TYTAP Instructor Certification:

  • Step 1: Complete and submit the TYTAP Instructor Application to Tobacco.Free@dshs.texas.gov. (Do not fax the application.)
  • Step 2: Application reviewed and approved or denied by DSHS Texas Tobacco Prevention and Control Program.
  • Step 3: If application is approved, register for a TYTAP New Instructor Training.
  • Step 4: Pay $350 fee to attend the TYTAP New Instructor Training.
  • Step 5: Attend and pass TYTAP New Instructor Training.
  • Step 6: If passed, receive TYTAP instructor certification, which is valid for two years.

Renew TYTAP Instructor Certification:

  • Step 1: Complete and submit the TYTAP Instructor Application to Tobacco.Free@dshs.texas.gov. (Do not fax the application.)
  • Step 2: Application reviewed and approved or denied by DSHS Texas Tobacco Prevention and Control Program.
  • Step 3: If application is approved, register for a TYTAP Current Instructor In-Service Training.
  • Step 4: Pay $150 fee to attend the TYTAP Current Instructor In-Service Training.
  • Step 5: Attend and pass TYTAP Current Instructor In-Service Training.
  • Step 6: If passed, TYTAP instructor certification is renewed for the next two years.

TYTAP Instructor Trainings

Before registering for a TYTAP instructor training, be sure to complete steps 1-2 listed under the TYTAP Instructor Certification section above. If there are no trainings listed check back again soon. For more information about or to register for a TYTAP instructor training email Texas A&M University at TYTAP@tamu.edu.


Training Schedule

Instructor trainings listed below are subject to change: for up to date information email Tobacco.Free@dshs.texas.gov.

Current Instructor In-Service Training                             

Dates

Training Format

Physical Location

6/4/24

Virtual and In-person

Texas A&M Agrilife Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75252

New Instructor Trainings

Dates

Training Format

Physical Location

4/15/24-4/17/24

Virtual and In-person

Paso del Norte Health Foundation, El Paso, Texas 79901

6/12/24-6/14/24

In-Person

Texas A&M Agrilife Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75252


[a]Disclaimer: Approved TYTAP youth classes are only conducted by trained instructors with an active State of Texas TYTAP certification. TYTAP participants should verify that a TYTAP instructor is certified before paying for a TYTAP youth class. Virtual classes offered by any individual or entity besides those listed on this website are not valid. The court might not accept a Certificate of Completion from an uncertified organization, instructor, or website. For more information, please refer to Section 161.253, Texas Health and Safety Code, or email Tobacco.Free@dshs.texas.gov.


[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Smoking and Tobacco Use. Youth and Tobacco. www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/youth/information-sheet/index.htm.

[2] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2014). The Health Consequences of Smoking—50 Years of Progress. A Report of the Surgeon General.