The major cigarette companies are sending materials to schools, claiming to support school anti-smoking efforts. In fact, these materials are being developed and distributed by the tobacco companies to promote their own public relations goals and political strategies. In addition, the cigarette companies' "anti-smoking" posters, book covers, and other materials have not been proven effective, and using them sends kids a harmful mixed message. Fortunately, schools do not have to rely on the cigarette companies for anti-youth-smoking posters, handouts, videos, and the like. There are plenty of effective tobacco-prevention materials readily available that are not tainted by tobacco-industry links.

The following is a partial list of non-profit and government sources for tobacco-prevention information and materials that is available free of charge or at a very low cost.

National Resources:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Tobacco Information and Prevention Source (TIPS) (www.cdc.gov/tobacco) offers a variety of tobacco-related materials. Educational Materials (www.cdc.gov/tobacco/edumat.htm) can be downloaded from the website and orders can be placed through the publications catalog (www.cdc.gov/tobacco/pubs.htm). Multi-lingual fact sheets, posters, and other materials may also be ordered by calling (770) 488-5705 (select 3 to speak to a publications specialist).

The American Lung Association (www.lungusa.org) offers smoking prevention and cessation programs for teens and on asthma education and indoor air quality. For more information on programs in your area, call your local American Lung Association at 1-800-LUNG-USA.

Tar Wars (www.tarwars.org), supported by the American Academy of Family Physicians, targets fourth- and fifth-graders with an award-winning education program and poster contest. Winning posters and merchandise can be ordered at the Tar Wars Store (http://www.tarwars.org/x815.xml) or by calling 800-944-0000 and requesting the item number. You can also call 1-800-TAR-WARS or send a request via e-mail to tarwars@aafp.org.

The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (www.health.org) offers a range of tobacco-specific materials, including pamphlets, posters, booklets, etc. available through its catalog (http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/). Orders can be made by phone 1-800-729-6686 (toll-free) or (240) 221-4019.

The Center for Substance Abuse Prevention list of tobacco-related materials (http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/govpubs/ms704/) identifies additional materials available through the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (see above).

National African American Tobacco Education Network (http://www.naaten.org/index.html) provides resources on tobacco-use prevention specific to African American communities and populations, including materials for physicians and dentists. For more information, visit their Resources online (http://www.naaten.org/resource.html) or call (888) 442-2836.

NSTEP (www.nstep.org), Oral Health America's National Spit Tobacco Education Program, has both print and video materials available on the dangers of spit tobacco. These materials can be ordered online (http://www.nstep.org/ShoppingCart.htm) or by phone at (312) 836-9900.

The Tobacco Education Clearinghouse of California (TECC) provides materials free of charge to agencies and schools funded by the state's tobacco control program. Other agencies and schools, including those in other states, may order low-cost educational materials from the TECC Education Materials Catalog online (http://www.tobaccofreecatalog.org/) or by calling (831) 438-4822, ext. 103.

The Massachusetts Tobacco Education Clearinghouse (http://www.worlded.org/us/health/docs/culture/materials/orgs_012.html) is a Massachusetts Tobacco Control Program project that provides materials and other services to support tobacco education efforts across that state. Materials are available by purchase for use in other states by sending a request via email at mtec@jsi.com, by phone at (617) 428-9485, or by fax at (617) 482-0617.

Oregon Tobacco Education Clearinghouse (http://oregon.gov/DHS/ph/tobacco/otec/index.shtml) has a catalog of posters, videos, pamphlets and booklets available online or by calling 1-888-412-1701. Materials provided by the Clearinghouse are available free of charge, but will not be shipped outside of Oregon without prior Division approval.

Arizona Prevention Resource Center (http://www.azprevention.org/index1024.htm) operates a Clearinghouse Library (http://www.azprevention.org/Prevention_Resources/ Prevention_Resources.htm) in Phoenix, an extensive library loan system for books, videos, curricula, displays, puppets, academic journals, educational CD ROMS and interactive educational models. Arizona residents can stop by the clearinghouse or order brochures and other printed materials by visiting the online bulk literature catalog on their Web site.