Key Points: South Carolina implemented a Youth Support Program (YSP) through its state quitline in response to a new law that prohibits underage “purchase, possession and use” of tobacco products. The law resulted in local courts having a new role in helping youth quit. It provided that courts charge youth violators a fine or order them to complete a local prevention/cessation program, which must be approved by the state Division of Tobacco Prevention and Control. Not all localities had readily available cessation services.

Learning Objectives: 1.Recognize some of the major obstacles in implementation of a law in which multiple agencies and partners are involved. 2. Identify strategies for garnering partner support to implement an effective program for youth prevention and cessation. 3.Determine the usefulness of utilizing telephone-based quitline services for the youth population.

Benefits: Until resources are available, S.C. youth who reside in counties without local programs have access to free tobacco treatment services through the S.C. Tobacco Quitline. As part of the phone and Internet-based Youth Support Program, a professionally trained Quit Coach offers younger tobacco users an individually tailored quitting program. A key success factor is the development of a trusting relationship between the Quit Coach and the youth. To ensure YSP's use by magistrates and municipal court judges, a unique partnership was developed between SC DHEC Division of Tobacco Prevention and Control, S.C. Courts Administration, and local judges.