In this episode of the Just Say Something's Podcast, CEO and host Philip Clark
welcomes Terra Bell from Smokefree South Carolina to discuss the pressing issue of
vaping among youth. Terra is a prominent advocate for tobacco prevention and control
in South Carolina. She is part of Smokefree South Carolina, a statewide nonprofit
organization that amplifies the efforts of various stakeholders working towards reducing
tobacco use. She focuses on educational initiatives, policy advocacy, and community
engagement, leading programs like Vape Talk to educate youth and adults about the
dangers of nicotine and vaping.
Terra speaks to Phillip, elaborates on Smokefree SC's mission to prevent tobacco
use, and provides insights into their educational program, Vape Talk. This initiative aims
to raise awareness about the dangers of vaping and nicotine, highlighting both
presentations tailored for adults and middle and high school students. She explains
to Phillip, "We started giving this presentation to them, and it talked about the
importance of having conversations with students about vaping and how nicotine, which
is in vapes, is dangerous for teenage bodies."
In addition, Terra delves into broader tobacco-related challenges in South Carolina,
mainly focusing on accessibility and regulation. As she tells Phillip, "In Greenville
County we know that there are about 760 tobacco retailers throughout the county.
She then touches on the data collected through Counter Tools, which helps
identify the high density of tobacco retailers in proximity to schools. covers legal
updates, such as the federal law raising the minimum age to buy tobacco to 21 and
community grants offered by Smokefree SC to support local tobacco prevention
efforts.
Key Takeaways:
-Vape Talk Program: An educational initiative offering presentations on the
dangers of vaping and nicotine, aimed at both adults and youth in South
Carolina.
-Accessibility Issues: Data indicating a high number of tobacco retailers near
schools, contributing to youth access to tobacco products.
-Community Involvement: Smokefree SC offers community grants to
organizations for youth engagement and coalition support in tobacco prevention
efforts.
-Environmental Concerns: Introduction of vape disposal kits to safely handle
confiscated vaping devices, emphasizing environmental impact and safety.
For more information, please get in touch with us at www.justsaysomethingsc.org or give us a
call at (864)467-4099.
#justsaysomethingpodcast #phillipclark #terrabell #smokefreesc #greenvillecounty
#vapetalkprogram #countertools #communityinvolvement #vapedisposalkits
