Idaho teens who want to quit tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes and vapes, now have a program specifically made for them and to help them on their quit journey. It’s called My Life, My Quit, and it launched for Idaho teens in December.
Is this the first program to help teens quit tobacco in Idaho?
It is – in fact, there aren’t many resources in the nation that are available specifically for teens if they want to quit tobacco. We have come to realize that teens have a very different quit journey than adults do. In Idaho, nearly half of all high school students have used e-cigarettes at least once, and there has been a surge in tobacco violations in schools across the state. We want to give teens the tools they need to help them make healthy choices.
How is this program tailored for teens?
The materials used in the program were created for teens, by teens, along with subject matter experts, and other community partners. Once they are enrolled in the program, teens work with a coach who listens and understands their unique needs, provides personalized support, and helps them build a quit plan to get free from nicotine.
So tell me about the program – what are the resources My Life, My Quit offers?
My Life, My Quit provides access to tailored resources for quitting, including:
- Free and confidential help from a quit coach specially trained to listen to teens, help them navigate social situations that involve tobacco or vaping, and find healthy ways to cope with stress.
- Five coaching sessions via live text messaging or by phone on a dedicated toll-free number (1-855-891-9989) or online chat.
- Simplified registration to get teens to a coach faster.
- Dedicated teen website at mylifemyquit.com with online enrollment, live chat with a coach, information about vaping and tobacco, and activities to support quitting and stress relief.
- Ongoing text messages for encouragement throughout the quit process.
- Certificate of program completion.
How do they enroll? What if they don’t want their parents to know?
Teens can text or call 1-855-891-9989, or they can visit mylifemyquit.com to get started. It is free and confidential.
Is there anything else?
If you or someone you know uses e-cigarette products and experiences symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, fatigue, fever, or weight loss, seek medical care immediately.
(Note: A Closer Look At Your Health airs around 6:50 a.m. most Tuesdays on KBOI News Radio 670. This is a lightly edited transcript of the segment from Feb. 25.)
Resources
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