Vaping and E-Cigarette Prevention
The Douglas County Healthy Youth Coalition is committed to helping youth in our community lead a healthier lifestyle. Vaping and E-Cigarette use poses a serious health risk to our community, and we're dedicated to providing resources to help educate and support prevention efforts.
Below is information about community education opportunities that are available through DCHYC, as well as links to resources and information for youth, parents, and trusted adults to learn more about the current vaping epidemic and how to access support for those that are using.
General Resources
The Center for Disease Control & Prevention is the “leading national public health institute for the United States and their mission is to protect America from health, safety, and security threats.” On their website, you will find information about smoking and tobacco use, youth tobacco prevention, and facts related to electronic cigarettes. A helpful infographic for parents and educators:: E-Cigarettes Shaped Like USB Flash Drives: Information for Parents, Educators, and Healthcare Providers
This website is a project of the State Tobacco Education and Prevention Partnership of the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. “Tobacco Free Colorado works to protect Coloradans from the health dangers of tobacco by providing tips and resources to help quit tobacco, supporting Colorado’s smoke-free, anti-tobacco, and tobacco-control policies, and preventing youth from using tobacco, including vapes/e-cigarettes.” You will find all this information and more on their website.
Resources of note include infographics and videos on the following topics:
Speak Now Colorado is supported by the Colorado Office of Behavioral Health within the state Department of Human Services. “Speak Now Colorado hopes you will talk with your children early and often about alcohol, marijuana, prescription medications, and other drugs. The information here will spark ideas for the best times and places to talk. It will also help you choose language your children will understand, based on their age. This website does not give the exact words you should use to talk to your children. Every family is different and has their own way of communicating.”
“Truth Initiative is America’s largest nonprofit public health organization committed to making tobacco use a thing of the past. Truth Initiative investigates, exposes, and amplifies the truth about tobacco through groundbreaking research and policy studies, their award-winning truth campaign, community activism and engagement, and innovation to end tobacco use.” On their site, you will learn why vaping is an important issue, explore their research and resources related to vaping, and find out how to get involved. As a parent, you can also receive text messages designed specifically for parents of vapers by texting QUIT to 202.899.7550 OR you can sign up for BecomeAnEx. BecomeAnEx will allow you to indicate that you are a parent of a young person who vapes and will provide you access to a supportive online community.
Additional resources include information on the following topics:
● 4 Things Parents Need to Know About JUUL and Nicotine Addiction
Resources for Youth Who may be Using
Second Chance is a free, online program from RMC Health aimed at teaching high school students who have been identified as having used traditional or electronic cigarettes about tobacco and other nicotine products, with brief mentions of marijuana. The program addresses how students' knowledge, decisions, and behavior related to these substances are influenced by their home, community, and school environments. The content also focuses on social-emotional skills including recognizing influences and positive and negative self-talk.
INDEPTH: Intervention for Nicotine Dependence: Education, Prevention, Tobacco, and Health (INDEPTH), developed by the American Lung Association and Prevention Research Center of West Virginia University, is an evidence-based, motivational interviewing program. It is meant to serve as an alternative to suspension or citation that helps schools and communities address the teen vaping problem in a more supportive way. “Instead of solely focusing on punitive measures, INDEPTH is a free, interactive educational program that teaches students about nicotine dependence, establishing healthy alternatives, and how to kick the unhealthy addiction.”
My Life, My Quit is a free online and text messaging program intended to help teens quit using tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. At My Life, My Quit they share the truth about nicotine, vaping, and other tobacco products. Students can access a coach who is ready to listen and cheer them on by calling or texting “Start My Quit” to 855.891.9989. They can enroll online by clicking here. This program is always free and confidential.
This is Quitting is a free mobile program developed by the Truth Initiative designed to help young people quit vaping
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Receive messages from other young people like you who have attempted to, or successfully quit, e-cigarettes
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Messages are meant to help you feel motivated, inspired, and supported throughout your quitting process
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Receive tips and strategies for quitting based on your age (13-24) and the product(s) being used
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Text DITCHVAPE to 88709
Colorado Quitline is a free tobacco cessation program based on proven strategies that have helped more than 1.5 million people quit tobacco.
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Entirely free and always confidential
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Program offers a team of support coaches, research-based information, and a community of others trying to live tobacco-free
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Coaches are available to discuss overcoming common barriers, such as: dealing with stress, fighting cravings, coping with irritability, and controlling weight gain
Smoke Free Teen: Provides helpful strategies for tackling cravings, bad moods, and other situations where adolescents may be triggered to smoke or vape. Teens can create a personalized quit plan to make it easier to stay on track, get through a hard time, and quit for good.