Free federal and state programs available to support teens, adults

As smoking and other forms of tobacco use continues to decline nationwide, more resources are now available to help people quit.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently announced the release of its Youth Vaping Guide, which aims to chip away at the youth vaping epidemic nationwide. The guide includes resources for teens, parents, educators, healthcare providers and community leaders to help raise awareness about the health risks of vaping and provide additional pathways for people looking to quit.

“There’s a myth that vaping is safe compared to other forms of tobacco use,” said Lauralee Tucker, program coordinator at the Glens Falls Hospital Health Promotion Center, which co-facilitates North Country Nicotine Consultants alongside The Heart Network. “In fact, most vaping products contain higher concentrations of nicotine, which can interfere with brain development, increase anxiety and depression, and put people at risk of developing other chronic conditions. The high levels of nicotine can also make it exponentially more difficult to quit than other tobacco products.”

“The new resource guide perfectly complements free services available at the state level here in New York, as well as local treatment options in the North Country,” said Hanna Schneider, who took over as The Heart Network’s tobacco project coordinator this fall. “We always stress that quitting tobacco — whether it’s cigarettes, smokeless products like chewing tobacco or vape products — doesn’t need to be a solitary journey. State programs like the NYS Quitline and federal ones such as the Ditch the Vape can help people take the first step. And through North Country Nicotine Consultants, we’re helping doctors and healthcare professionals have direct conversations with patients about quitting — conversations that can have a profound effect on successful quit rates.”

Recent studies by state and federal health agencies show a continued decline in vaping among middle and high school students and dramatic declines in smoking rates among adults. But it’s estimated that over 1.6 million youth nationwide report current use of vaping products.

“We can’t rest,” Tucker noted. “Vaping poses a huge risk to the health of young people, and smoking remains the number one cause of preventable death in the U.S. We can’t stress enough how important it is to use all the tools at your disposal to kick the habit.”

People looking to quit vaping — especially teens — can text DITCHVAPE to 88709 or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for free support. Additionally, the NYS Quitline features a Drop the Vape service that offers instant advice and supportive texts to people looking for support. Text DROPTHEVAPE to 88709 to receive up to four supportive texts a day for six weeks. These texts feature tips on how to deal with stress, handle cravings and stay confident in situations that may increase the likelihood of vaping or smoking.

The NYS Quitline provides many free resources for those looking to quit, including patches, gum and lozenges, personal quit coaches and more. Visit nysmokefree.com to learn more, or call 1-866-NY-Quits.

To learn more about North Country Nicotine Consultants, or to learn about local tobacco cessation resources in northern New York, contact Hanna Schneider at hschneider@heartnetwork.org or Laurelee Tucker at ltucker2@glensfallshosp.org.