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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mississippi High School Activities Association and State Department of Health Launch Tobacco and Vaping Awareness Campaign During Spring Championships
Jackson, MS – April 15, 2025 — The Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) is proud to announce a partnership with the Mississippi State Department of Health’s Office of Tobacco Control (OTC) to address the critical issue of tobacco and vaping use among youth. This collaboration will be prominently featured during the remaining Spring Championships and school year, aiming to educate students, families, and communities about the health risks associated with tobacco and vaping as well as to promote effective cessation resources.
Throughout the championship events, attendees will encounter educational materials highlighting the dangers of tobacco and vaping. Information about the Mississippi Tobacco Quitline (1-800-QUIT-NOW) will be prominently displayed, offering free counseling, personalized quit plans, and nicotine replacement therapy to those seeking to quit tobacco use. Additionally, the “This is Quitting” program, a free and anonymous text messaging service designed to help youth quit vaping, will be promoted. Teens and young adults can enroll by texting VAPEFREEMS to 88709, receiving messages from peers who have successfully navigated the quitting process.
Rickey Neaves, Executive Director of MHSAA, emphasized the importance of this initiative:
“Tobacco and vaping present significant challenges among our youth. We are proud to partner with the State Health Department to promote programs that help young individuals understand the lifelong impact on their health and provide them with the resources to make healthier choices.”
The Office of Tobacco Control has been instrumental in implementing statewide programs aimed at youth tobacco prevention. These initiatives work to deter the initiation of tobacco use among school-age and college youth by incorporating prevention programs into community-based coalitions and organizations throughout Mississippi.
This partnership underscores a shared commitment to fostering healthier environments for Mississippi’s students, ensuring they have access to the necessary tools and knowledge to lead tobacco-free lives.
About MHSAA
The Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) governs interscholastic activities in Mississippi, promoting equitable participation and sportsmanship among its member schools.
About the Mississippi State Department of Health’s Office of Tobacco Control
The Office of Tobacco Control aims to reduce tobacco-related disease and death by implementing comprehensive programs that prevent tobacco use initiation, promote cessation, and eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke.
