A harm reduction centered, judgment-free approach to one of the most misunderstood substances

Tobacco and nicotine are some of the most commonly used drugs on the planet, yet meaningful education about them can be surprisingly uncommon. Most conversations fall into extremes: total demonization on one end, or uncritical normalization on the other. We have developed a course to live in the honest middle. A place where nuance, care, science, history, and real-world safety all belong in the same room. We’re proud to launch the Tobacco and Nicotine course, a completely free learning experience designed and developed by our wonderful and hard working Drug Education Committee for anyone who wants to understand nicotine and tobacco in a deeper context. This course has grown out of the need to expand upon and update the Just Say Know Drug Education Program that centers on peer education. 

Why Nicotine?

Nicotine is one of the most widely used psychoactive substances on the planet. Tobacco has been used intentionally for thousands of years and industrially exploited for over a century. Today, people encounter nicotine through cigarettes, vapes, patches, gums, pouches, snuff, and medications, often without clear, unbiased education about risks, benefits, and harm reduction strategies. This course was built to change that. Rather than telling people what they “should” do, the course focuses on: 

• Informed choice
• Practical harm reduction
• Personal and community safety
• Context over stigma

Whether you use nicotine, are trying to quit, support others who do, or work in education, healthcare, or peer support, this course meets you where you are.  No prior knowledge required. No moralizing. No pressure.

Why it’s free

Access to accurate, compassionate education should never be a barrier to safety. This course is offered entirely free because community knowledge saves lives, reduces harm, and strengthens care networks.

If you take the course and feel inspired to engage in advocacy and/or community work, we encourage you to share what you’re doing so we can celebrate and amplify it together.

Download our app to access the course here!

Created by Merryn Spence