REBEL (Reaching Everyone By Exposing Lies) is a statewide youth-led anti-tobacco initiative whose mission is to reach, educate, and empower New Jersey teens to make healthy lifestyle decisions and to support non-smoking as the norm. There are REBEL chapters in every county in New Jersey with 10,000+ teens who have given their support to the movement.
In the 2002-03 school year, a pilot program was introduced in high schools in 10 counties in New Jersey who were funded in order to evaluate the effectiveness of operating REBEL chapters or clubs in all high schools within the state of New Jersey.
As a result of the program's success, in 2006-07, the REBEL Tobacco Prevention Initiative has expanded to the remaining 11 counties in the state of New Jersey. There are now over 200 REBEL chapters in high schools throughout the state. Union County has 10 REBEL chapters and 5 REBEL2 chapter throughout the County.
Each chapter is required to develop teams of a minimum of 15 youth to create and sustain a youth-led tobacco prevention group in their school. Each chapter meets several times before, during or after school throughout the school year and activities are implemented to creatively change school and community norms regarding tobacco use. Students are eligible to attend statewide trainings, regional or county meetings and have access to county, regional and statewide events sponsored through the initiative. Locally, groups plan and implement activities, projects and/or special events that encourage youth to become socially active and empower them to create change in their own environment. REBEL chapters and their REBEL Advisors work closely and collaboratively with their county's REBEL Youth Coordinator.
The REBEL Tobacco Prevention Initiative is funded by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services and from the increase in the New Jersey Cigarette Tax (P.L. 2002, c.33). The Union County REBEL Tobacco Prevention Initiative is managed by Prevention Links. |
