Tar Wars was founded in response to this growing, yet preventable, health crisis. Administered by the American Academy of Family Physicians, Tar Wars is an award-winning, tobacco-free education program targeting fourth- and fifth-grade students.
Tar Wars uses an effective and innovative approach to teaching tobacco prevention, focusing on the short-term, image-based consequences of tobacco use and how to think critically about tobacco advertising.
The Tar Wars lesson is presented by health care professionals and educators. Tar Wars also provides health care professionals, school personnel, and community members the opportunity to form coalitions that share the common goal of discouraging tobacco use among children. A poster contest at the school, state, and national levels is conducted to reinforce the Tar Wars message.