Truth Initiative

The logo of the Truth Initiative

The Truth Initiative is a nonprofit public health organization dedicated to achieving a culture where all youth and young adults reject tobacco. The organization is known for its "truth" campaign, a national youth smoking prevention campaign that has been credited with reducing youth smoking rates in the United States.

History

The Truth Initiative was established in 1999 as the American Legacy Foundation as part of the Master Settlement Agreement between the tobacco industry and 46 U.S. states. The agreement provided funding for the foundation to develop and implement programs to reduce tobacco use, particularly among youth.

In 2015, the organization rebranded itself as the Truth Initiative to better reflect its mission and focus on the "truth" campaign.

Programs

The Truth Initiative conducts research and policy studies on tobacco use and its effects, and it advocates for policies that reduce tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke. The organization also runs several programs aimed at preventing tobacco use among young people, including:

• truth campaign: A national multimedia campaign that uses innovative and engaging content to educate young people about the dangers of smoking and to encourage them to reject tobacco.
• EX Program: A digital quit-smoking program designed to help individuals quit smoking through personalized support and resources.
• Research and Policy Studies: Conducting research on tobacco use trends, the impact of tobacco control policies, and the effectiveness of tobacco prevention and cessation programs.

Impact

The Truth Initiative's "truth" campaign has been widely recognized for its effectiveness in reducing youth smoking rates. Studies have shown that the campaign has contributed to significant declines in smoking among teenagers and young adults.

Funding

The Truth Initiative is funded through the Master Settlement Agreement, as well as through grants and donations from individuals and organizations that support its mission.

Related pages

• Tobacco smoking
• Public health
• Smoking cessation