The Sidekicks program has a goal of working with young people and adult advisors in Maine to help teens find the words to talk to their peers about tobacco and nicotine.
Once trained as a Sidekick, youth have the skills to hold respectful conversations with their peers about tobacco and nicotine use, as well as other risky behaviors. The Sidekicks program gives youth the skills and confidence to support their peers, as well as a network of Adult Advisors and Adult Ambassadors as a resource for questions and additional support.
Why address youth tobacco use?
- Nicotine harms the developing brain.
- Youth who do not recognize the harms of nicotine are more likely to use tobacco and nicotine, now and later in life.
- E-cigarettes and nicotine pouches are more popular than cigarettes among youth in the U.S.
- Youth are vulnerable to social and environmental influences to use tobacco and nicotine; industry messaging and flavored products make tobacco use appealing to them are everywhere. School policies and interventions that encourage tobacco-free environments and lifestyles and reduce tobacco advertising, promotions, and availability of tobacco products are proven to reduce youth tobacco use.
View A Sidekicks Conversation
Additional Resources
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The Sidekicks program is funded by the Tobacco and Substance Use Prevention and Control Program, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), and the Department of Health and Human Services.