KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Three East Tennessee substance abuse prevention organizations are receiving state funding to strengthen efforts aimed at reducing nicotine use among teens and young adults as vaping continues to be a growing concern across the region.
The Tennessee Department of Health has awarded more than $2 million through its 2026 Nicotine-Free Futures Initiative, supporting 12 organizations statewide with prevention, education and policy programs focused on youth nicotine addiction.
Among the recipients are Knoxville-based Metro Drug Coalition, Align9 in Loudon County and the Hamblen County Substance Abuse Coalition.
State health officials say the funding will help communities address nicotine use before it becomes a lifelong addiction.
“Preventing nicotine addiction before it starts is critical to protecting the current and future health of Tennessee’s youth,” Tennessee Health Commissioner Dr. John Dunn said. “These community partners are on the front lines of prevention, and this investment will strengthen their ability to create lasting change.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, e-cigarettes remain the most commonly used tobacco product among middle and high school students.
Sara Bean, Youth Initiatives Coordinator for Metro Drug Coalition, said vaping products and nicotine pouches are increasingly being used by younger students.
Bean said children can begin experimenting with nicotine as early as age 12, with usage often increasing during late middle school and early high school years.
Metro Drug Coalition plans to use its grant funding to expand prevention programming throughout Knox County schools and community organizations. The effort will involve partnerships with Knox County Schools, after-school programs, the Boys and Girls Club and Wesley House.
Bean said the organization’s goal is to ensure young people understand the risks associated with nicotine products while providing support and resources for those already struggling with addiction.
The coalition also plans to launch youth focus groups and expand its Youth Metro Drug Coalition program, a student-led volunteer initiative that promotes healthy decision-making and peer mentorship.
Officials say nicotine pouches, including products such as Zyn, are becoming an emerging challenge.
“We are seeing a definite uptick of those among youth,” Bean said.
In Loudon County, Align9 and the Prevention Alliance of Loudon County will use grant funding to expand a program known as In-Depth into Loudon County Schools. The program serves as an alternative to suspension for students caught with vaping or tobacco products on school grounds.
Students participate in a four-hour educational class designed to address nicotine use and provide prevention resources.
Victoria Cowell, executive director of the Prevention Alliance of Loudon County, said schools have found that punitive measures alone often fail to stop nicotine use among students.
Cowell also said student-led prevention efforts are a key component of the organization’s strategy, noting that peer influence can be one of the most effective tools in changing behavior.
Meanwhile, the Hamblen County Substance Abuse Coalition plans to expand evidence-based nicotine prevention education through its share of the state funding.
Executive Director Stephanie Hardy said nicotine use remains one of the most persistent substance abuse concerns facing young people, even as traditional cigarette use has declined.
The grants are funded for four years and are intended to help local organizations develop long-term prevention strategies as nicotine products continue to evolve.
