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CALL US AT (314) 286-0460 OR CONTACT US TO REQUEST SMOKE-FREE TEENS ON PURPOSE (STOP) FOR YOUR SCHOOL!

Tobacco use -- including cigarettes, cigars, snuff, snus, pipe and smokeless tobacco -- is the single leading preventable cause of death in the United States, causing 435,000 deaths each year. Every day about 4,000 American youth 12-17 try their first cigarette, and 3,000 begin smoking daily, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Let’s kick this habit.

Smoke-Free Teens On Purpose (STOP)

  • Length of Program: Eight (8) weeks
  • Audience: High school students who use tobacco
  • Goal: To help students kick the deadly habit of tobacco use
BJC HealthCare's Smoke-free Teens On Purpose (STOP) program is designed to help high school students to STOP one of the most difficult habits - using tobacco. The program is voluntary and is facilitated by a BJC health educator or trained STOP facilitator. Sessions meet during school hours and a faculty member must sponsor and lend support to the STOP program when needed.

Upon completion of the eight-session, STOP participants will continue to meet once a month for follow-up sessions to support their success. If interested, students may design an advocacy program in which they tell their stories. This can be a way to educate their peers about the dangers of tobacco use and the difficulties they faced in trying to STOP.

Session topics include:
  • short and long-term health effects of tobacco use
  • dealing with weight concerns
  • learning about exercise and nutrition
  • learning stress management techniques
  • facts and tips for stopping tobacco use
  • setting a stop date
  • ways to handle cravings and triggers
  • the truth about tobacco advertising
  • dealing with relapse
  • handling high-risk situations
Developed for students in grades 9-12, this course includes eight, one-hour sessions with informational materials for each student. All materials are designed to meet Missouri Grade Level Expectations (GLE) and Illinois Learning Standards (ILS).


tobacco | substance abuse | nutrition | fitness | health and sexuality | safety