About North Carolinians for a Tobacco-Free Generation Podcast
Whether you’re curious about the landscape of tobacco prevention in North Carolina or you’re well versed in this topic, you’ve come to the right place. In each episode, we interview an expert or professional in the field of tobacco control and prevention, asking questions about North Carolina policies and their work to prevent the initiation of tobacco use and to educate the public about the harms of commercial tobacco use.
Join us as we learn more about tobacco use and prevention and connect with local experts in North Carolina.
This podcast is supported by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Tobacco Prevention and Control Branch and the University of North Carolina Tobacco Prevention and Evaluation Program.
In this episode, NCTFG sits down with Mansib, Uma, and Cameron from the Youth Empowerment Team at the Poe Center for Health Education in North Carolina to explore how young people are leading important conversations around tobacco and nicotine prevention. They share insights from their advocacy projects, including the ways social norms, addiction, mental health, and easy access to tobacco products can shape young people’s experiences.
The group also discusses what youth advocacy looks like in action, why young people deserve a meaningful seat at the table, and how open communication and support can help create lasting change. Their message is clear: young people are not just the future, they are already making a difference in their communities.
22 Apr 2026
How Youth Advocates Are Working to Stop Teen Vaping
In this episode, we sit down with Nevaeh, Ella, and My Linh, who serve as youth ambassadors for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. As advocates, they are on the front lines of the fight against teen tobacco and nicotine use. These young leaders share what inspired them to get involved, the challenges they’re seeing in their communities, and how they’re working to create real change.
From raising awareness about youth vaping to pushing for stronger policies, this conversation highlights the power of youth voices in shaping a tobacco-free future.
26 Mar 2026
PAVe the Way: Parents Leading the Fight Against Youth Vaping
In this episode, Caroline Joyce, Executive Director of Parents Against Vaping E-cigarettes (PAVe), discusses how parents can play a key role in addressing the youth vaping epidemic. She shares how the organization was founded, the challenges families face when discovering their child is vaping, and why nicotine addiction can develop so quickly among young people. Joyce also explains how compassionate conversations, better education, and parent-led advocacy can help support youth and push for stronger policies to reduce vaping among adolescents.
1 Dec 2025
Vaping Trends in Schools: An SRO's Perspective
In this podcast episode, Jake Peterson, a school resource officer (SRO) at Eastern Alamance High School in North Carolina, discusses his experiences with students engaging in vaping and e-cigarette use. Peterson emphasizes the importance of building trust with students beyond a traditional law enforcement role to effectively address and mitigate vaping incidents. The challenges faced by schools include students perceiving vaping as less harmful due to the lack of cigarette smell and colorful vape devices. Educating students and integrating anti-vaping messaging into programs like DARE are crucial strategies highlighted for prevention.
24 Oct 2025
Addressing Vaping Harms Through Research and Policy
E-cigarettes were once seen as a safer alternative to smoking, but today, vaping among youth and young adults is one of the most pressing public health challenges. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Joseph Lee from Wake Forest University and Dr. Eric Soule from East Carolina University about how vaping has evolved, what drives young people to start, and what strategies are showing promise in prevention. From flavors and social influence to targeted marketing and health equity, they unpack the science and the solutions shaping the future of tobacco control.
Looking to learn more about youth vaping and resources for parents, teachers, and community members? Follow NCTFG on social media! @TobaccoFreeNC on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
5 Sept 2025
From Clinic to Community: Tackling Youth Vaping Together
In this episode we talk with Dr. Jessica Young, a pediatrician and preventive medicine physician at UNC Chapel Hill. Dr. Young shares what she sees in her clinic when it comes to youth vaping, how the products have changed, common misconceptions among parents, and the serious risks to adolescent brain and lung health.
She also talks about strategies pediatricians use to start conversations with teens, how families and communities can better support prevention, and what policies could help protect young people from flavored vaping products. Whether you’re a parent, educator, healthcare provider, or policymaker, this conversation offers practical insights into reducing youth nicotine use and building a tobacco-free generation in North Carolina.
Looking to learn more about youth vaping and resources for parents, teachers, and community members? Follow NCTFG on social media! @TobaccoFreeNC on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
10 Dec 2024
From Cigarettes to Vapes: Lessons from the Past and Timeless Strategies for a Tobacco-Free Generation
In this episode, Rachael Joyner and Jim Martin highlight the significant progress made in supporting people on their journey to quit tobacco as well as tobacco control policies across North Carolina, including creating tobacco-free schools, banning smoking in restaurants and bars, and increasing the minimum smoking age to 21. Rachael and Jim’s work has emphasized the importance of taking a comprehensive approach to tobacco prevention and control, including evidence-based education and close collaboration with public health professionals.
Looking to learn more about the Duke-UNC Tobacco Treatment Specialist Training Program? Visit www.dukeunctts.com to access training resources and more.
Follow NCTFG on social media! @TobaccoFreeNC on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
15 Nov 2024
Partnering with Regional Tobacco Control Managers to Build a Tobacco-Free Generation
In this episode, David Willard joins us to discuss the importance of local involvement in tobacco control efforts. Willard highlights the significance of building partnerships with youth organizations to effectively reach and educate young people about the risks of tobacco and vaping products and emphasizes the need for consistent messaging and creative strategies to foster a tobacco-free generation, showcasing successful community engagement as a key to achieving public health goals.
Looking to get in touch with your Regional Tobacco Control Manager? Visit https://tobaccopreventionandcontrol.dph.ncdhhs.gov/about/localtpcgroups to learn more!
Follow NCTFG on social media! @TobaccoFreeNC on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
16 Sept 2024
Risks of Youth Vaping and What We Can Do
In this episode, Charlene Zorn, a parent advocate from New Hanover County, NC, shares the story of her son, Solomon, who passed away due to vaping related circumstances. She and Ernest Watts discuss the importance of education and policy enforcement to prevent youth vaping across North Carolina and the entire country. Charlene and Ernest emphasize the need for stronger enforcement of Tobacco 21 legislation and the role of parents and schools in supporting a tobacco-free generation.
Ready to quit vaping? Live Vape Free is a free, confidential service for North Carolina teens age 13 to 17 who want to quit vaping. Teens can text VAPEFREENC to 873373 to access 24/7 coaching and support over text – no phone call required.
Follow NCTFG on social media! @TobaccoFreeNC on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
1 Aug 2024
Understanding the Role of Trusted Adults in Substance Use Prevention
In this episode, Toshia Jordan from the Fuquay-Varina Coalition for a Healthy and Safe Community shares her journey in tobacco prevention work in North Carolina. She discusses the importance of creating safe spaces for youth to seek support and highlights the significant role schools and trusted adults play in substance use prevention. With a focus on brain development and mental health, Toshia emphasizes the need for comprehensive tobacco control efforts that address underlying issues and build supportive community relationships.
Follow NCTFG on social media! @TobaccoFreeNC on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
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