Tobacco / Vaping
The facts are clear, tobacco use carries health risks and secondhand smoke is dangerous. Tobacco use is still the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the US and is one of 3 behaviors that leads to 50% of all deaths in Vermont. While the rates of cigarette smoking in the US declined from 42% in 1965 to 13.7% in 2019, some groups smoke more heavily or at higher rates. These populations tend to be those who experience inequities in multiple areas of their lives, including those at lower socioeconomic levels, American Indians/Alaska natives, African American/Black communities, LGBTQ communities, those in the military, those with behavioral health conditions, and others.
Alternative devices to use tobacco, such as electronic vaping products, cigars, pipes, and hookahs are very much on the rise. It is important to know that there is no “safe” way to smoke tobacco or use nicotine. The youth of this generation are being targeted by an industry that needs replacement smokers. Tobacco industry products kill people, so they need to actively recruit new young users to maintain a customer base. Right now they are using flavored electronic vape products to do it.
Below you’ll find resources to learn more and get support for a tobacco-free life.
GENERAL
National Institute on Drug Use and Health - Tobacco, Nicotine and Vaping
Coalition for Tobacco Free Vermont
CESSATION SUPPORT
802Quits.org - Offers tips, free resources and support for adults in Vermont to quit using tobacco.
My Life My Quit is a text-based free resource for Vermont teens to help with quitting smoking or vaping. Teens can text "Start My Quit" to 36072 or go to mylifemyquit.org to chat with an online coach.
This is Quiting is a free mobile program to help young people quit vaping. Teens and young adults can join by texting “DITCHVAPE” to 88709.
FOR SUPPORTING YOUTH
Partnership for Drug Free Kids - The Teen Vaping Trend, What Parents Need to Know
Parents, Let’s Talk About Vaping a five minute video from ParentIN with Dr. L.E. Faricy, a Pediatric Pulmonologist at UVM Medical Center about vaping and the increased risks for youth
Get Outraged a vaping education resource for parents that has great information about today’s highly addictive products.
Talking to Youth and Young Adults to Prevent E-cigarette Use a website with resources to support adults in having conversations with young people about vaping.
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Information is constantly advancing and as we continue to learn BPHC will update this page with new resources as needed. However, if you don’t find what you need, and live locally, reach out to us and we’ll try to connect you to the right information.