8 out of 10 Teens Don't Smoke!

Teen smoking in Vermont has gone way down in recent years, but any people still think that the majority of teens smoke cigarettes. We're busting that myth! The reality is that 84 percent of teens in our state don't smoke. So hit the reset button on what you think most teens do, and don't let this misperception about how many Vermont teens smoke fool you.

Did you know........

•An octopus has 3 hearts.

•Montpelier, Vermont is the only U.S. state capital without a McDonalds.

•On an American one-dollar bill, there is an owl in the upper left-hand corner of the "1" encased in the "shield" and a spider hidden in the front upper right-hand corner.

Did you also know......

•73% of Vermont students think it is wrong for kids their age to smoke.

•Cigarette smoke contains about 4,000 chemical agents.

•Vermont teenagers DO NOT think that smoking makes young people look cool or fit in, 91% of them in fact.

The Collaborative is working closely with the Vermont Dept. of Health and throughout the months of March and April we are focusing our efforts to encourage more youth to say no thanks to smoking -- just like most other Vermont teens.

Visit www.8outof10.com. At this website you'll find that sometimes things just aren't what they seem. Check out what the Truth Monkey has to say, download cool wallpaper, order free stuff, and play the "mix it up" feature for a mixed-up take on some everyday images.

Appearances can be deceiving. Have you seen the "8 out of 10" TV ads? They're definitely not what they seem at first. If you miss the ads on TV, don't worry; they can be viewed at the www.8outof10.com site.

If you are interested in learning more about quitting tobacco use for yourself, a loved one or child, here are some resources:

•Vermont Dept. of Health, www.vtquitnetwork.org or 1-800-784-8669 Quitting Tobacco Resources and Programs;

•The Collaborative, www.thecollaborative.us or 1-802-824-4200 Information and Resources for Adults and Teens

•American Lung Association, www.notontobacco.com Teen Quitting Tobacco Program and Information

•Springfield Hospital, www.springfieldhospital.org or 802-885-7346 Quitting Tobacco Resources and Programs

•Grace Cottage Hospital, www.gracecottage.org or 802-365-3649 Quitting Tobacco Resources and Programs

The Collaborative is a substance abuse prevention coalition in Manchester and Londonderry. Throughout the community and area schools, we enhance youth tobacco prevention and help reduce children's use of and exposure to tobacco products. We are a nonprofit organization that promotes the development of a healthy, involved community supporting substance free youth in a caring environment. Get Involved!