Smokeless Saturday

Smokeless Saturday is a teen education and cessation program for students found with tobacco on school grounds. It offers an alternative to suspension and fines to those students violating school tobacco policies.

Under current Pennsylvania law, students using or possessing tobacco at school may be disciplined by school administrators or referred to the district magistrate who can fine students $50, plus court costs. Often the total fee exceeds $150.

“Both options proved counterproductive,” said Mary Ann Valasek, former Smokeless Saturday coordinator. “Discipline alone does not discourage tobacco use or help the student quit smoking or chewing.”

As a result, HealthyLungs designed a program that provides students with the tools to make healthier choices and learn how to quit. A student found smoking in school can attend Smokeless Saturday rather than pay court costs.

Smokeless Saturday is a one-day session taught by trained facilitators at 17 community sites throughout Western Pennsylvania. Students learn about smoking triggers, how to deal with stress, the long- and short-term consequences of tobacco use and how to quit successfully.

Over 500 students are referred to Smokeless Saturday annually. A recent survey of the participants showed that 40 percent quit using tobacco for more than five months; indicating that students were motivated to quit.

View the 2015-16 Smokeless Saturday Schedule

To download a PDF of the Smokeless Saturday referral form, click here.

For more information about Smokeless Saturday, contact:
Carla A. Conrad, MS, RRT-NPS
Director of Tobacco and Health Programs
1-800-220-1990

Or visit our Contact page.