Tobacco Free Allegheny, Together with National Jewish Health, Launches Vaping and Tobacco Cessation Program for Teens

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Tiffany Babinsack
tbabinsack@tobaccofreeallegheny.org
412-322-8321 x302

TOBACCO FREE ALLEGHENY, TOGETHER WITH NATIONAL JEWISH HEALTH, LAUNCHES VAPING AND TOBACCO CESSATION PROGRAM FOR TEENS

PITTSBURGH, PA (PittsburghNewsWire.com) — Nearly 5 million teens across the United States are vaping and using tobacco, yet there are few resources available to help them stop. In their most recent fact sheet, the Surgeon General reports that one in five high school children vapes. The nation’s largest non-profit tobacco quitline provider, National Jewish Health, together with partners in nine states (including Tobacco Free Allegheny in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania) has launched an enhanced tobacco cessation program for teens who want to stop using tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes and vapes.

The new My Life, My Quit program includes educational materials designed for teens and created through focus groups with teens, subject matter experts and community stakeholders. Teens can text or call a toll-free number (1-855-891-9989) dedicated for teens, or they can visit mylifemyquit.com for real-time coaching. Through 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 become free from nicotine.

“While there are similarities, the teen quit experience is very different from the adult experience. This program allows us to meet teens where they are, communicate with them via channels they are comfortable with, and to support them through their quit journey,” said Dr. Ylioja.

“The adolescent brain is developing until about age 25, and tobacco disrupts that development. The new My Life, My Quit program is critical in helping a new generation combat nicotine addiction,” said Tiffany Babinsack, Program Coordinator with Tobacco Free Allegheny.

My Life, My Quit provides youth access to tailored resources for quitting, including:

• Free and confidential help from a quit coach specially trained to listen to teens, help teens navigate social situations that involve tobacco or vaping, and find healthy ways to cope with stress
• Teen-focused messages in promotional and educational materials – created with youth input – that encourage teens to quit vaping or using tobacco
• Five coaching sessions via live text messaging or by phone on a dedicated toll-free number (1-855-891-9989) or online chat
• Simplified online and mobile program registration to get teens to a coach quicker
• 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
• On-going text messages for encouragement throughout the quit process
• Certificate of program completion

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Tobacco Free Allegheny’s mission is to change the community norms surrounding tobacco, making it uncommon to see, use, or be negatively affected by tobacco or tobacco smoke pollution (secondhand and thirdhand smoke). As part of Pennsylvania’s Tobacco Prevention and Control Program, our work is based on the Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The goals identified are designed to guide programs in their effort to significantly decrease tobacco related morbidity, mortality and economic costs.

National Jewish Health is the leading respiratory hospital in the nation. Founded 120 years ago as a nonprofit hospital, National Jewish Health today is the only facility in the world dedicated exclusively to groundbreaking medical research and treatment of patients with respiratory, cardiac, immune and related disorders. Patients and families come to National Jewish Health from around the world to receive cutting-edge, comprehensive, coordinated care. To learn more, visit njhealth.org. Members of the news media may visit the media resources page.