Data helps create safer school environments. Some products contain harmful or addictive chemicals. Understanding what youth are accessing helps schools, public health officials, and regulators respond effectively.
Our goals are to: (1) Identify products, flavors, and brands youth access; (2) Alert FDA and state agencies to products illegally obtained by youth; (3) Support prevention, education, and enforcement efforts.
What we do with the photos: (1) We catalog and describe each product in detail; (2) We analyze the findings to identify regional and national trends; (3) We disseminate findings with schools and public health partners.
Frequently Asked Questions
We can't determine if the product contains tobacco or marijuana or other substances. Should we still share it with you?
We can't determine if the product contains tobacco or marijuana or other substances. Should we still share it with you?
We will take photos of whatever you have. Our team will identify the products after they're shared.
Do you only want us to share info about vapes?
Do you only want us to share info about vapes?
We're interested in ALL types of nicotine and tobacco products - pouches, cigars, cigarillos, e-cigarettes whatever you see out there.
How often should we upload our photos?
How often should we upload our photos?
As frequently as is convenient for your team. We have a question in the survey that lets you clarify when the products were collected.
How do we safely dispose of the products we receive?
How do we safely dispose of the products we receive?
The US Environmental Protection Agency has a great resource schools and individuals can use at https://www.epa.gov/hw/how-safely-dispose-e-cigarettes-information-individuals
We don't confiscate products from students, they voluntarily turn them in. Do you still want to see those products?
We don't confiscate products from students, they voluntarily turn them in. Do you still want to see those products?
Absolutely! We used the term confiscate because it resonated with teachers, but we want to see and hear about any of the tobacco products you're seeing in schools.
We throw away products / return them / give them to someone else once they're received.
We throw away products / return them / give them to someone else once they're received.
We encourage you to take and share a picture before you throw it away or give it away.
The survey has options for students in grades 6-12. What about younger grades?
The survey has options for students in grades 6-12. What about younger grades?
If you're collecting products from students in younger grades, we'd love to see them! There's an open-response question where you can add more detail about the age groups at the school.
What's the best way to share what we have?
What's the best way to share what we have?
We're thankful for whatever you have available to share! That said, clear photos of a group of products are probably best in reducing your time and allowing us to identify the products.