American Lung Association of Nevada Receives $150,000 Grant from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation to Help Nevada's Youth Stay ...( Grant will support the American Lun...),Health

Grant will support the American Lung Association of Nevada's efforts to prevent youth from smoking and help youth who already smoke - to quit

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Lung Association (ALA) of Nevada is pleased to announce that it has received a grant in the amount of $150,000 from the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation, the charitable giving arm of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Grant funds will reduce youth tobacco use through the expansion and continuation of two of the ALA's effective youth prevention and cessation programs -- Teens Against Tobacco Use (TATU) and Not on Tobacco (N-O-T).

"It is vital that we reach out to preteens and teens before they start smoking. This is definitely the age group that is at the highest risk. Most people who smoke are smoking by the age of 14 and it is a serious addiction that is very difficult to beat. Tobacco use is a major cause of preventable deaths in the United States," said Allison Newlon Moser, executive director for the American Lung Association of Nevada.

The American Lung Association offers two copyrighted programs to Nevada youth. Teens Against Tobacco Use (TATU) focuses on educating youth early about the dangers of tobacco use. Through the Teens Against Tobacco Use (TATU) program, high school students use a peer-led model to teach elementary students to avoid tobacco. These interactive presentations focus on the effects of tobacco, peer pressure and tobacco advertising, and the positive aspects of being tobacco free.

"Thanks in large part to the generous support of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, we will be able to train more than 700 Nevada teenage educators who will then educate more than 25,000 elementary and middle school students across our state about the harmful effects of tobacco using this powerful tobacco prevention program," said Newlon Moser.

The second program to be funded by Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield's grant - Not on T
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