In November 2025, the Tobacco Education Program (TEP) attended the American Public Health Association’s Annual Meeting and Expo in Washington, D.C., where staff presented research on youth awareness and use of oral nicotine pouches (ONPs) in San Benito County. The study, which surveyed 459 students ages 11-18, found that while most were aware of ONPs, 5% tried them at least once, which is higher than the national average. Attendees were surprised by the high usage rates in a rural community, sparking discussions on ONPs' discreet design and potential for addiction due to high nicotine content. The findings highlight the growing presence of new nicotine
products among youth and the importance of ongoing education, prevention, and monitoring of youth nicotine trends. The conference also provided an opportunity for TEP to engage with public health professionals nationwide, gather actionable prevention strategies, and bring insights back to strengthen local education and prevention efforts.