Tobacco-Free Youth

Teenagers who use tobacco don’t always look like pack-a-day smokers. Many of them do something called vaping. 

What is vaping?

Vaping is the inhaling of a vapor created by an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) or other vaping device. E-cigarettes are battery-powered smoking devices. They are filled with a liquid that usually has nicotine, flavorings, and chemicals.

How is vaping dangerous?

Nicotine is very addictive and can affect brain development. Because vaping is new, we don’t know how it affects the body over time. We do know that the nicotine in e-cigarettes:

• Can slow brain development in kids and teens.
• Can affect memory, concentration, learning, self-control, attention, and mood.
• Can increase the risk of other types of addiction as adults.

It’s vital as parents to support your kids and teens who want to quit. Call the Georgia Tobacco Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-877-270-7867) and work with a Youth Quit Coach today. The Quit Line has free coaching, quit plans, and educational tailored just for teenagers who vape or use other tobacco products.

Tobacco-Free Texting Apps

Over 72% of teens prefer texting. Texting apps might be a great way to keep your child engaged in a tobacco-free program. Here are some great tobacco-free texting apps you can suggest to your child:

• This is Quitting
  Targeted toward teens and young adults who smoke and use e-cigarettes, including vapes. The app has quit stories from real-life young adults. It also has:
  • Fun GIF posts about quitting.
  • Strategies and tips to stay tobacco-free.
  • Access to free expert counseling 24/7.

    Your child can join for free by texting DITCHVAPE to 88709

• SmokefreeTXT for Teens
  This is a free texting program through Smoke-Free Teen, a program offered by the National Institute of Health (NIH). It’s geared towards teens and young adults who smoke tobacco or vape.
  Your child can join for free by texting QUIT to 47848.
• DipfreeTXT for Teens
  This is a free texting program through Smoke-Free Teen, a program offered by the National Institute of Health (NIH). It’s geared towards teens and young adults who use smokeless tobacco products, like snuff, dip, chew, etc.
  Your child can join for free by texting SPIT to 222888
• quitSTART
  This app is targeted toward teen smokers and e-cigarette users. The app has tailored tips, inspiration, and challenges. Teens can also track their progress and earn badges for tobacco-free milestones and other wins.
  Your child can join for free by downloading the quitSTART app.

Which resource is best for my child?

There are lots of resources out there. This can make it hard to figure out the best tool for your child. Use the chart below to compare different features and find the best app for your child.

I’m a smoker. Could this keep my child from quitting?

Kids are quick to spot gaps between what their parents say and do. Most kids say that the adult they most want to be like when they grow up is their parent.

If you would like help with quitting tobacco, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-877-270-7867) for free resources and support.

Another program you can check out is BecomeAnEX. In this program, you can share that you’re the parent of a child who vapes. You will get information about how nicotine addiction works and find ways to quit. You will also have access to a supportive online community.

Do you speak another language?
Explore Quit Line phone numbers for the languages below:

• Español [Spanish] – 1-855-DÉJELO-YA
• 中文 [Cantonese & Mandarin (Chinese)] – 1-800-838-8917
• 한국어 [Korean] – 1-800-556-5564
• Tiếng Việt [Vietnamese] – 1-800-778-8440

Tobacco-Free Youth Resources
Become a Smokefree Teen
Five Ways Quitlines Help
Former Smokers Share Stories