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What is #iCANendthetrend?

The primary goal of #iCANendthetrend is to provide prevention services to youth, families, and community members across Kentucky. #iCANendthetrend is an initiative developed by College of Education faculty in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion at the University of Kentucky in collaboration with college tobacco-free ambassadors. #iCANendthetrend aims to help build awareness on the dangers of tobacco use, including e-cigarette use, costs associated with nicotine dependence, mental health, and ways youth have been targeted and influenced to use these products. We are proud to be listed as an evidence-based resource for schools by Kentucky’s Cabinet of Health & Family Services.

I Can End The Trend

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We offer engaging presentations for elementary, middle, and high school students (4th–12th grade), aligned with national and Kentucky Health Education Standards. Schools can choose a one-time, 45–50 minute session or a more in-depth three-lesson series over multiple days or weeks.

Our presentations go beyond just the dangers of nicotine and e-cigarette use— they empower students with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to take charge of their mental and physical well-being. We explore the critical connection between tobacco use and mental health, including how nicotine impacts stress, anxiety, and mood, as well as healthier coping strategies. Students learn how some young people turn to nicotine as a way to cope with difficult emotions—and why this can actually worsen mental health over time. We introduce positive coping strategies like mindfulness, peer support, and seeking help from trusted adults, and emphasize that protecting your mental health is just as important as protecting your physical health.

 We also cover the latest emerging products, such as nicotine pouches, and explore topics like health and financial consequences, marketing tactics, social norms, and how flavors are used to target youth. Through interactive discussions and real-life scenarios, students practice refusal skills and learn about youth-specific quitting resources. 

By fostering critical thinking, self-advocacy, and informed decision-making, our program empowers youth to be leaders in their own health and advocates for a tobacco-free future.

While our one-time session provides a strong foundation, our three-lesson series allows for deeper discussions, interactive activities, and stronger connections between our college facilitators and students.

We prefer to keep our classrooms small with a maximum of 30 students to ensure activities and questions can be managed with one college facilitator.

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Tailored Lessons and Opportunities

We also conduct youth advocacy workshops and offer programming specifically targeted to athletes, parents, community members, pre-professionals, and professionals—year-round, including during the summer. 

To book a non-school presentation, please email icanendthetrend@uky.edu.

Our Impact Across Kentucky

Since 2019, the #iCANendthetrend team has successfully delivered our programming to over 29,000 students, 171 schools, and 75 counties. Have we been to your school? Check the map!

Counties Reached

 

 

What's Our Primary Goal? (video)

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National Health Education Standard Alignment

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Meet the Team

Melinda Ickes

Dr. Melinda Ickes | Program Director

Dr. Ickes is an Associate Professor in Health Promotion in the College of Education. She received her PhD from University of Cincinnati in Health Behavior and Health Promotion at University of Cincinnati in 2010. Dr. Ickes has a wealth of experience in tobacco prevention and control, youth empowerment, and intervention research. She serves as the Co-Director of Tobacco Policy for BREATHE in the College of Nursing and is the Director of Tobacco-free Take Action and Go Tobacco-free, efforts to promote evidence-based tobacco policy.

"Using a peer-to-peer model in which middle and high school students are connected with facilitators closer to their age has been invaluable. The college facilitators are role models and reinforce what empowering younger generations can do to make an impact in their community."

Julia Estes

Julia Estes | Program Coordinator

Julia is from Memphis, TN and recently graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Political Science. As program coordinator, her goal is to expand the reach of #iCANendthetrend and discover innovative ways to engage youth.

Hannah Brown Research Assistant

Hannah Brown | Research Assistant

Hannah is a native of Lexington, Kentucky and is currently a graduate student and research assistant for #iCANendthetrend at the University of Kentucky studying health promotion. She received her undergraduate degree in healthcare administration from UK in May 2023. Hannah loves to be able to speak with students across Kentucky and give them the resources to make healthy decisions!

 

Abby Lay

Abby Lay

Abby is from London, Kentucky and has been a college facilitator with #iCANendthetrend since November 2021. She is a graduate student at the University of Kentucky obtaining her Masters of Public Health. Abby enjoys traveling across Kentucky to connect and empower students within the state.

Griffin Nemeth Youth Advisory Board Coordinator

Griffin Nemeth | Youth Advisory Board Coordinator

Griffin is from Mason, Ohio, and is beginning his first year in UK’s College of Pharmacy. With much prior experience mentoring youth, Griffin joined #iCANendthetrend shortly before 2023 with the goal to guide young people toward a healthy lifestyle. As Youth Advisory Board Coordinator, he enjoys providing dedicated high school leaders an avenue to advocate for change.

Rebecca Bathlette | Program Coordinator

Rebecca is from Lexington, KY, and is a recent graduate of the University of Kentucky. She majored in Clinical Leadership and Management and received her Bachelor's Degree in Health Sciences in May 2024. She is passionate about connecting with diverse and marginalized communities by promoting health equity and empowering youth to make informed decisions about their health. She always seeks to foster community and school relationships for tobacco prevention and education across Kentucky.

Griffin Nemeth | Youth Advisory Board Coordinator

Griffin is from Mason, Ohio, and is a second-year PharmD student at UK’s College of Pharmacy and a first-year MBA student at the UK Gatton College of Business & Economics. Griffin joined #iCANendthetrend shortly before 2023 with the goal of guiding young people toward a healthy lifestyle. As Youth Advisory Board coordinator, he enjoys providing dedicated high school leaders an avenue to promote youth tobacco and nicotine use prevention through community engagement and policy advocacy.

Bella Dunn | Facilitator

Bella is from Salyersville, Kentucky and has been with the #ICETT team since September 2024. She is an undergraduate student at the University of Kentucky pursuing a dual degree in Public Health and Health Care Communication. Bella is eager to meet new students and make a positive impact across Kentucky!

Katherine Thomas | Facilitator

Katherine is from Newnan, GA and joined the #iCANendthetrend team in August of 2024. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Sewanee: The University of the South and is currently in the School Psychology Ed.S. program at the University of Kentucky. Katherine enjoys speaking with students across the state of Kentucky and empowering them to make healthy decisions.

Gerber Holsclaw | Facilitator

Gerber is from Lexington, KY and is currently an undergraduate at the University of Kentucky’s College of Social Work. With ambitions of obtaining his master’s degree and working alongside the youth in Kentucky’s foster care system, Gerber is elated to have the opportunity to work with and learn from this amazing team of change makers. He is dedicated as an #iCANendthetrend facilitator to provide youth with the skills and resources for them to become informed decision-makers and health advocates.

Chloe Cole | Facilitator

Chloe, a native of Hartford, KY, is a dual-degree student at the University of Kentucky. She is pursuing degrees in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, as well as the College of Arts and Sciences. She is passionate about public health education, community development, and youth outreach. Chloe works with #iCANendthetrend to educate and empower youth to make informed decisions about tobacco and vaping prevention.

Delaney Johnson | Regional Facilitator

Delaney is from Jenkins, Kentucky and has been a regional facilitator with #iCANendthetrend since December 2023. She recently graduated from the University of Pikeville with a bachelor’s degree in Communication, and plans to further her education in Speech Pathology. Delaney enjoys having the opportunity to travel across Kentucky and inform students about the harms of vaping and tobacco sothey can make the best choices for themselves.

Austin Johnson | Regional Facilitator

Austin is from Jenkins, Kentucky and has been with #iCANendthetrend since June 2024. He attends the University of Pikeville in pursuit of a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Science. Austin plans to attend KYCO to become an optometrist. Austin is passionate about informing the youth of Kentucky about the dangers of tobacco so they can become informed decision makers!

Jacob Honaker | Regional Facilitator

Jacob is a senior majoring in biology at the University of Pikeville. He is excited to help make a difference in preventing vape and tobacco use in his area. Creating a positive impact on his community has always been a goal of his, and he is eager to achieve it through his role as a regional facilitator for #iCANendthetrend.

Jenna Morrow | Facilitator

Jenna is from Monticello, Kentucky, and is an undergraduate student at the University of Kentucky studying agriculture education. She joined the #iCANendthetrend team in August of 2024 as a college facilitator. She hopes to inspire students across the commonwealth to make informed decisions that will have a lasting positive impact on their health and well-being.

Alumni

Sierrah Miley

Sierrah Miley

"#iCANendthetrend has been the most humbling and rewarding experience. Working with the most passionate, resilient, and hardworking college students, youth, and community partners has taught me valuable lessons I will always carry with me. Public health, specifically youth and tobacco prevention, is the reason I will be a future physician. And the compassion I have grown for prevention and tailored treatment will make me an effective future physician. Giving youth a voice is a domino effect and empowering students empowers the future."

Dillon Lay

Dillon Lay

"There is so much to say about my time as a #ICETT Research Assistant from team retreats, sharing research at conferences, and building life-long friendships, but one of the most valuable memories I have is traveling across Kentucky learning from youth themselves. Having the opportunity to speak with youth about their experiences and building on their ideas for empowerment taught me so much about the indomitable, positive influence that youth have within their community. My time with #ICETT led me to continue learning with youth as I am now a 7th grade science teacher. I cannot be more grateful for my experience with the #ICETT team and the joy we shared over the last 4 years!"

Olivia Zidzik

Olivia Zidzik

“Serving as a #iCANendthetrend college facilitator was one of the most fulfilling parts of my colligate experience. As a team, we engaged with thousands of young Kentuckians and empowered them to make informed decisions about their health and well-being. I had the privilege of starting #iCANendthetrend’s social media pages, which prepared me for the next step in my career – an associate marketing specialist for Ally Financial (Detroit, MI)!”

Courtney Martin

Courtney Martin

Grace Evans

Grace Evans

Holly Volz

Holly Volz

“#ICETT taught me so much about myself, my state, nicotine prevention and empowerment, and health promotion as a whole. In my time with #ICETT I was able to present to schools all across Kentucky, talk with school staff, meet community members and network with those who are also working in the prevention field. End the Trend really ignited my passion for prevention & empowerment work and public speaking with youth. I currently am the Youth Empowerment and Prevention Specialist with New Vista serving 17 counties! I am forever thankful for #ICETT and everything and everyone it brought me.“

Trey Schadt

Trey Schadt

“My time with #iCANendthetrend helped me get in the community and serve. It was an absolute pleasure to be a part of something bigger than myself making a real difference. The community they have fostered is so much more than a work environment, it’s a family. The professional skills I learned while with the team helped me jumpstart my career in marketing and I’m proud to say I’m now working full time with a digital marketing agency.”

Camille Wright

Camille Wright

“My time at #iCANendthetrend was definitely unforgettable! The incredible people I got to work with and the kids I got to educate truly made it a worthwhile experience☺️ Now that I’m graduated, I’m living in LA working at an advertising agency!"

Claire Miller

Claire Miller

  • "I had the pleasure of working with the #ICETT team while I was in graduate school at the University of Kentucky. As a health advocate and student researcher I worked with the team on a variety of tobacco prevention projects. #ICETT allowed me to travel to conferences to present research findings on how this program impacts Kentucky youth, lead a manuscript development team, and be in the content creation space for their social media and newsletter. I give credit to #ICETT for helping me build my confidence and skills to advocate for HB219, which was recently passed and signed into legislation in July 2022. 
  • Background on HB219: HB219, sponsored by Rep. Kim Moser, establishes a lung cancer screening program in the Kentucky Department for Public Health. Working in tobacco prevention is key to catching this disease earlier so that less Kentucky families are impacted.

Thank you, #iCANendthetrend! "

Katherine Rowe

Katherine Rowe

"My time with #iCANendthetrend introduced me to public health and really gave me a passion for the field. I enjoyed learning more about tobacco prevention and awareness through research with the team at ICETT and sharing that information directly with the community. It was always so fun and interesting to interact with the students and community members through the presentations we gave. I'm really thankful to Dr. Ickes and everybody at #iCANendthetrendfor being a great and supportive team. I love seeing the organization continue to grow and do amazing things in their community. 

Currently, I live in Washington and work for the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department as a Group Supervisor. I'm also completing the M.S. in Global Studies and International Relations degree program with Northeastern University. I hope to continue working in public health in the future."

Cameron Rostron

Cameron Rostron

​”At #ICETT, I had the chance to help expand our virtual programming during the COVID-19 pandemic and carry out research to better understand how our program and others can best function to impact young people! Now, I am a student in the Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/PhD) at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis.”

Hayley Leach

Hayley Leach

Hayley is from Dry Ridge, Kentucky and a law student at the Washington University School of Law. Hayley was crowned Miss Missouri 2023 and works with the 'See the Able, Not the Label' initiative. 

Katie Wittman

Katie Wittman

Katie is from Jerseyville, Illinois, and graduated with a Bachelor of Public Health from University of Kentucky in December 2023. Katie has reached over 1,800 students across Kentucky through presentations and many health educators through Professional Development sessions and presenting research at the Kentucky Prevention Network Conference. She also helped prepare and organize registrants for the American Lung Association Advocacy Day. Katie is continuing her education by attending PA school at Southern Illinois University.

Gabrielle Cochran Program Coordinator

Gabrielle Cochran

Gabrielle is from Columbus, Ohio and is a recent graduate from the University of Kentucky. She received her Masters of Public Health in May 2023 and Bachelors of Public Health in May of 2022 both at the University of Kentucky. She is excited to meet students across Kentucky and empower them to find their passions and be their own advocates for change! 

Mary Ellen Mallory

Mary Ellen Mallory

Mary Ellen is from Taylorsville, Kentucky, and is a recent graduate of the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor's Degree in Health Promotion. She plans to pursue a Masters in Human Sexual Health and Wellness. Mary Ellen joined the #iCANendthertrend team in January of 2023 because she believes that youth should be empowered and well-informed to make happy and healthy decisions in their lives.

Nevaeh Jones | Intern

“Working with #iCANendthetrend was a very rewarding and eye-opening experience! I enjoyed going to schools to educate youth about making good, informed decisions about their health and the dangers of vaping. Being from Kentucky, knowing the history of tobacco, and seeing how that affects our communities has fueled my dedication to advocating for vulnerable groups in Kentucky. #iCANendthetrend is doing fantastic work. Everyone on the team is very passionate about educating youth. I had the opportunity to work on the social media team. Social media is a powerful platform for spreading awareness and knowledge, especially among youth. Being able to be creative while educating was so fun and fulfilling. This experience has been incredibly fulfilling, and I can't wait to see how the program continues to grow and greatly impact the community.”

For More Information...

General Information on E-cigarettes

General Info

Additional Programming and Media Resources

  • CATCH My Breath | https://catch.org/program/vaping-prevention | Comprehensive youth e-cigarette, JUUL, and vape prevention program specific to grades 5-12. The required training is facilitated in a virtual setting.
  • Stanford Tobacco Prevention Toolkit | https://med.stanford.edu/tobaccopreventiontoolkit.html | Educational resource that can be adapted to fit the needs of adults and students in all types of settings, including elementary, middle, and high schools; community-based organizations, and health related agencies.
  • Taking Down Tobacco | https://www.takedowntobacco.org | Comprehensive youth advocacy training program that educates and engages youth through free online and in-person trainings. @TobaccoFreeKids on Twitter and Instagram
  • The Real Cost | https://therealcost.betobaccofree.hhs.gov/vapes | FDA campaign that educates teens about the harmful effects of tobacco use. Intended for youth ages 12 to 17. @KnowTheRealCost on Facebook and Twitter
  • Truth Initiative | https://truthinitiative.org | Truth Initiative is America’s largest nonprofit public health organization dedicated to making tobacco use a thing of the past. Truth Initiative conducts groundbreaking research and policy studies, gives young people the facts about tobacco and the industry behind it, engages individuals and groups to make change in their communities, innovates new ways to end tobacco use and joins forces with collaborators committed to a tobacco-free future. @truthinitiative on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram

Learn More About Quitting

  • Quit Now Kentucky | www.quitnowkentucky.org | Free phone, text, and online chat service for Kentuckians who want to quit using tobacco products. Currently available for all ages. Enroll by visiting QuitNowKentucky.org, calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW, or texting “QUITKY” to 797979.
  • My Life, My Quit | www.mylifemyquit.com | Free, confidential service for pre-teens and teens who want help quitting tobacco products. Participants should visit MyLifeMyQuit.com, or call or text “START MY QUIT” to (855) 891-9989 to register.
  • This is Quitting | https://truthinitiative.org/thisisquitting | Free texting program specifically for teens and young adults who want to stop vaping developed by Truth Initiative. Text “KENTUCKY” to 88709. Parents and other adults looking for resources to help kids stop vaping should text “QUIT” to (202) 899-7550.

Quitting Resources

Contact Information