Educating teens and adults about nicotine addiction and the tactics of the tobacco industry can help prevent kids from starting to use tobacco. Teens are more likely to reject tobacco when they are engaged in activities that promote healthy lifestyles and benefit their community.

Cougar Service Organization

Cougar Service Organization is known by students at Sleeping Giant Middle School as CSO.  This after school program engages enthusiastic young people in projects and activities that benefit the school and community. Every year, the youth in CSO become a positive force, implementing projects that engage the entire school, such as daily activities during Red Ribbon Week. CSO plans dances, organizes the school-wide food drive, and creates displays in the school lobby with messages that promote alcohol, drug, and tobacco free lifestyles. CSO members raise money through a variety of activities throughout the year and then donate the money to local organizations. It is members of this group that bring the Smoke Free Dragon to classrooms in the elementary schools, delivering the message to kids that, “Smoke Free is the Way to Be!” Cougar Service Organization is open to all students and everyone is invited to be a part of the group.