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  1. Public Health Education Campaigns
The Real Cost 10 Years Power of Prevention

FDA’s award-winning public education campaign, “The Real Cost,” recognizes its 10th anniversary and continues to prevent youth from starting using tobacco products. The e-cigarette and cigarette prevention campaigns focus on educating youth about the negative health effects and risks of vaping and smoking.

“The Real Cost” campaign was developed based on extensive research and uses a mix of cost-effective marketing and advertising tactics across teen-relevant communication channels to reach youth audiences.

Since 2018, FDA has prioritized its public education efforts to further reduce e-cigarette use among youth. To determine the e-cigarette prevention campaign impact researchers measure teens:

  • Awareness of campaign ads
  • Beliefs about the harms of using e-cigarettes
  • Beliefs about the negative consequences of vaping nicotine

Current Campaigns


Past Campaigns and Resources



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