College students trying to quit vaping can get free coaching, medication support and confidential text messages through the state's tobacco and nicotine quitline as campuses begin the fall semester.
The DropTheVape texting program provides six weeks of skill-building support, while the quitline also offers phone coaching, online chat and callback requests.
The New York State Quitline said people ages 18 to 24 have the highest vape-product use in the state. Its recent two-part webinar series for colleges focused on preventing vaping, helping students quit and creating tobacco- and vape-free campus policies.
Recordings and presentation slides from the webinar series, "Addressing Vape Product Use on College Campuses," are available at nysmokefree.com/addressing-vape-product-use-on-college-campuses. Colleges can also download or order posters, cards, social media graphics, newsletter copy and educational presentations from the quitline.
Students and other New York residents can call 1-866-NY-QUITS, or 1-866-697-8487, to speak with a quit specialist. Online chat and callback requests are available at nysmokefree.com, and adults 18 and older can request free nicotine-replacement medications online.
DropTheVape is available at DropTheVape.org. The quitline also offers English-language text support by texting QUITNOW to 333888 and Spanish-language support by texting DÉJELO YA NY to the same number.
The quitline is supported by the New York State Department of Health and based at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo. It is available seven days a week and has responded to more than 3 million calls since it began operating in 2000.
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