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PHONE HOTLINE: 1.866.SD-QUITS
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Help Others Quit

Supporting a loved one through their quit journey makes all the difference. Find FREE tips, resources and guidance to help someone you care about break free from tobacco. Together, you can help them quit for good.

Help Someone Quit
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Quit Today

South Dakota Quitline is a free Resource available to any state resident 13 or older. Choose from three ways to leave smoking, vaping, or chewing in the past. Quit, stay quit and breathe easy. 

Quit Today
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Youth & Young Adults

Children and young adults are especially vulnerable to loss of brain function as a result of vaping.
Even using e-cigarette devices without nicotine can cause damage. To protect your physical and mental health, it's time to quit.

Quit Today
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Tribal Toolkit

The Tribal Tobacco Advocacy Toolkit offers Indigenous communities culturally-informed resources and tools to support tobacco-free environments while honoring traditional practices.

Access the Toolkit

Contact Us


Questions about quitting tobacco or need support? Reach out anytime—we're here to help you or your community on the journey to quit smoking, vaping or chewing tobacco.

Contact Us
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Tobacco-Free Policies

Ensure that your school's students are not addicted to tobacco — implement a comprehensive tobacco-free campus policy.
Implementing Tobacco-Free Policies

Help Those Around You Set Up for Success

The most impactful step an organization can take to prevent tobacco addiction among its attendees is to implement a comprehensive tobacco-free policy. When applied fairly and consistently, such a policy not only discourages tobacco use but also empowers individuals to make healthier choices.

A truly comprehensive approach should go beyond seeing commercial tobacco and vape use as disciplinary issues. Instead, it should be recognized as a serious, lifelong health and wellness concern—one that requires a coordinated response from the entire organization and the surrounding community. Protecting health and addressing tobacco use are top priorities.
Leveraging Local Networks to Advance Your Mission

Community Alliances

Establishing community partnerships to support this effort doesn’t have to be difficult. Your organization may already have connections that can be leveraged. Potential community partners include:

  • Faith-based groups
  • Healthcare providers and clinics
  • Youth organizations (e.g., Boys & Girls Clubs, 4-H)
  • Coalitions focused on substance misuse prevention
  • Local government and city councils
  • Nonprofits focused on health equity and chronic disease prevention
  • Local public health departments
  • Schools and educational institution

 

Enforce a Tobacco-Free Policy

Free Policy Evaluation Guides

Already have a policy and want to see how it scores compared to model policies? Check out our rubrics below or reach out to DOHTobaccoControl@state.sd.us

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Policy Implementation Checklist
Policy Implementation ChecklistPolicy Guide
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TOUCH
Workplace
WorkplacePolicy Guide
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TOUCH
Rodeo Grounds
Rodeo GroundsPolicy Guide
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TOUCH
Post-Secondary Institutions
Post-Secondary InstitutionsPolicy Guide
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Tribal Tobacco Policy Toolkit K-12
Tribal Tobacco Policy Toolkit K-12

Protect our youth from tobacco-related diseases.

Policy Guide
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TOUCH
Parks and Recreation
Parks and RecreationPolicy Guide
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Multi-Unit Housing
Multi-Unit HousingPolicy Guide
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K-12
K-12Policy Guide
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View the Policy Support Materials

Do you already have a policy and would like our feedback, or want to see how it compares to model policies?

Policy Support Materials
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Benefits of Tobacco-Free Policies in Schools 

Schools are more than just educational institutions—they are central to shaping healthy habits in youth. Adopting tobacco-free policies offers multiple benefits:

Health & Safety

  • Protects students, staff, and visitors from the harms of secondhand smoke.
  • Reduces the risk of addiction by limiting youth exposure to tobacco.
  • Decreases fire hazards caused by smoking materials.

Stronger Prevention Messaging

  • Reinforces classroom lessons with consistent, real-world anti-tobacco messages.
  • Helps youth understand that tobacco use is not a “normal” behavior.
  • Offers positive adult role models who lead by example.

Legal & Community Benefits

  • Minimizes liability for schools by eliminating tobacco use on campus.
  • Fosters a healthy, safe school climate that supports student success and well-being.

 

The Power of Youth Engagement

According to the CDC, youth are key allies in the movement toward tobacco-free communities. Their involvement brings unique strengths:

Motivators & Mobilizers

  • Youth inspire peers and rally others more effectively than adults.
  • Many are personally motivated by family loss, health struggles, or anger at industry manipulation.

Creative & Insightful

  • Youth understand youth—their insights help shape relevant, effective policies.
  • Their fresh ideas and perspectives add creativity and innovation to outreach and advocacy.

Effective Advocates

  • Young voices get noticed by media and policymakers.
  • They add authenticity and credibility to campaigns and messages.

Strategic Allies

  • Youth can expose tobacco industry tactics, helping others see through marketing strategies.
  • They bring energy, passion, and genuine concern to the movement—often volunteering their time to protect their future.

Start with a Plan

Whether you're a student, educator, parent, or community leader—anyone can spark change. Work together to:

  • Implement strong tobacco-free policies in schools
  • Engage and empower youth as partners
  • Promote a healthier, tobacco-free future