THE FUTURE IS OURS, LET’S MAKE IT TOBACCO and nicotine FREE
What does it mean to be a youth-driven movement? It’s right there in the title. FACT has run on pure teen activism since it started way back in 2001, uniting Wisconsin young people who are ready to stand up, speak out, and make a real difference.
Still, taking on the tobacco and nicotine industry’s not easy. So FACT supports their local activism with lots of resources, hands-on mentors and public health pros who know the facts about nicotine, vaping and more.
FACT members spread the truth
From 7th grade through their senior year, FACT activists work together to host local events, plan activities and educate WI communities.
Repped by youth board members
These FACT leaders advocate for their local members and shape the movement with their input.
Mentored by FACT advisors
There’s an adult advisor for every FACT group, there to help teens set goals, solve problems and stay connected.
Supported by FACT professionals
Professional staffers provided by the American Lung Association help keep FACT running smoothly, working closely with youth board members and adult advisors to expand and improve the movement.
Guided by a coalition of community programs
FACT is ably managed by the American Lung Association, funded by Wisconsin’s Commercial Tobacco Prevention & Treatment Program, and organized with the help of local health alliances.
FACT's mission
We empower youth to create a healthier Wisconsin by becoming advocates for tobacco and nicotine use prevention.
Stand up
Build valuable leadership, teamwork, and communication skills for college and your future career—while making new friendships.
Speak out
Collaborate with others in your school and around your community to educate everyone about the harm tobacco and nicotine products can do.
Make a difference
Have a positive impact on your community’s health by taking action to raise awareness, help prevent harm, and maybe even save lives.
2001
Wisconsin teens meet up and start FACT.
Imagine it: Hundreds of teens from all over Wisconsin come together for one enormous (and enormously inspiring) tobacco-free event. By the end of it, they’d launched FACT—the first youth-driven tobacco prevention movement of its kind in our state. Since then, FACT has evolved to take on some of the biggest health issues facing young people: nicotine addiction, manipulative marketing tactics, mental health, and more. Countless young leaders have decided to take action and stand up for tobacco-free communities since 2001. They’ve made this movement unstoppable.
2010
FACTivists help WI go smoke-free.
Don’t let anyone tell you one person’s voice can’t make a difference. Because back in 2010, we proved them wrong—one voice, one story at a time. While legislators debated over new statewide tobacco control policies, FACT teens shared their own personal experiences with tobacco use and all the harm that it can do. Their inspirational storytelling and advocacy efforts helped shape public opinion and influenced policymakers to prioritize everyone’s health. It took a lot of work, but Wisconsin finally went smoke free—with FACT’s help.
2013
FACT movement takes a new direction.
From the start, FACT stood for Fighting Against Corporate Tobacco. But eventually, that name needed an update—because sticking it to Big Tobacco was never the point. FACT is here to help people get honest information about vapes and other nicotine products, and to learn how to recognize the tobacco industry’s influence in their own community. So we dropped “the fight” from our name and focused FACT’s message on proactive health advocacy that educates everyone on the realities of tobacco use. That’s our real mission: Spreading the Truth About Tobacco.
2018
The start of a youth vaping epidemic.
You know there’s a youth vaping problem when the U.S. Surgeon General gets involved. The tobacco industry has loaded e-cigarettes up with fun colors, sweet flavors, and soooo much addictive nicotine, it’s kind of no surprise the number of teens trying and using vapes skyrocketed. So when the surgeon general called for immediate action to protect young people’s health, FACT answered. Across Wisconsin, FACTivists intensified their efforts to educate their peers and communities about the dangers of vaping and nicotine addiction. And we haven’t stopped yet.
2023
FACT makes mental health a priority.
Ask Wisconsin teens why they vape or use nicotine products and a lot of them are going to say the same thing: It helps me deal with stress. Which is pretty messed up, because research shows that nicotine can actually trigger stress and make anxiety and depression worse. That’s why FACT launched Reach Out in 2023—an educational campaign that helps young people find healthier ways to deal. It also explains what really happens to your mental health when using tobacco and nicotine. FACT members are teaching their friends to reach out for help instead of nicotine.
FACT’s YOUTH BOARD
This year’s selected representatives prove this movement is chock full of natural born leaders.
Addyson
Isabel
Izabella
Jordyn
Reese
Zaira
FACT’S LEADERSHIP TEAM
Get to know a few of the dedicated professionals who make FACT’s work possible. Have questions or want to connect? Contact us at FACT@FACTmovement.org.
Join the FACT Movement
Make a difference in Wisconsin's health by becoming part of a local FACT group today.