Second Chance was developed with funding from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s State Tobacco Education and Prevention Partnership (STEPP). Amendment 35 voter-approved tobacco tax funds were used to finance program development.
We welcome requests for accommodations related to the Second Chance site. Visit https://cdphe.colorado.gov/accessibility for a full statement and to learn more.
Second Chance is a free, web-based, interactive, self-directed program designed for middle and high school students to be used as an educational alternative-to-suspension for tobacco policy infractions. The program may also be helpful for youth who may be curious about tobacco or other nicotine products and would benefit from education. The program is designed to address the health risks that tobacco and e-cigarettes pose to youth. Program completion takes approximately 2.5 hours.
Program Goals include:
Increase student knowledge of and compliance with tobacco-free school policy and community-based tobacco policy.
Increase student awareness of the benefits of not using tobacco or other nicotine products.
Increase student strategies and skills to resist health risk behaviors.
Increase student interest in quitting or reducing tobacco/nicotine product use. *Second Chance is not considered a quit program.
Use of the Second Chance program is considered a non-punitive, restorative response to a student using tobacco/vaping, as it focuses on Reflection, Restoration, and Instruction/Education.
Additional information on restorative discipline:
Schools are encouraged to use Second Chance as an alternative to suspension for tobacco and vaping infractions. Second Chance should be one part of a comprehensive prevention and intervention approach to addressing youth tobacco, vaping and nicotine use.
To learn more about the Second Chance program:
Review the Second Chance demonstration website
Email secondchance@rmc.org and request a student demonstration account so you can experience Second Chance from the student perspective.
Email secondchance@rmc.org and request a meeting to learn more and get your questions answered.
*Second Chance was developed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's State Tobacco Education and Prevention Partnership.
"As a principal, it is often a first offense by my students and I rely on this restorative approach to help teach students the dangers of vaping so they truly understand why this is a concern for their safety more than a 'broken rule'."
“It cut our suspensions for vape use down by 2/3rds.”
"In follow up meetings many students have shared facts that they learned in the course (often about the amount of chemicals in vapes) and an increased desire to quit using."
"The program is informational, focuses on learning and not consequences. It creates a space for young adults to grow and develop to make healthier choices for themselves."
"Parents and students are a huge fan of leveraging the Second Chance program in lieu of punitive consequences. They appreciate the focus on learning and growth/development."
Sign-up for a Second Chance Administrator account . Click on the orange Sign-up link. *Currently, we can only approve one Administrator account per school/organization. Please have one individual register for a Second Chance administrator account. Account information can then be shared among staff.
Once we receive your Administrator request, we'll reach out with follow-up instructions.
Second Chance program Administrators:
Serve as the primary point of contact for Second Chance programming at their school/organization
Along with their team, enroll students in the program and have the ability to track student program completion
Receive individualized support with program set-up and ongoing program use
Receive aggregate student pre and post survey results upon request
Before student begins the program
A step-by-step guide for program administrators to enroll students
Student Information form outlines expectations of the student and includes a place to record their username and password.
While student is working through the program
Instructions for monitoring student program completion
After student completes the program
Second Chance Certificate of Completion can be provided upon program completion.
Guide conversations after Second Chance program completion. Includes Hooked on Nicotine Checklist and Quit support resources.
Colorado Department of Public Health & Education Youth Cessation Guide.
The SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention & Referral to Treatment) process is addressed in the Tobacco, Nicotine & Vaping use intervention flowchart and can be integrated at any point (including a first infraction), to better assess use/risk level and appropriate intervention.
*Additional Implementation Resources can be found in the Google folder.
Second Chance Parent/Guardian notification letter in English and Spanish.
THIS site provides helpful guidance for parents/guardians as they seek to support their child (also available in Spanish).
Talk with your Teen about E-Cigarettes-A Tip-Sheet for Parents. English HERE & Spanish HERE.
Catch My Breath Parent Toolkit. English HERE and Spanish HERE.
Public Health Law Center: FAQ's about Nicotine Pouches. 1-pager HERE.
Ex Community. How to help a child quit vaping. Includes community of support and text messages to help guide conversations with your child/youth.