New Quit Line tailored to teens who want to stop tobacco use

The Montana Tobacco Quit Line has launched a new program for teens who want to stop using tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes and vapes.

Nearly five million teens across the nation are vaping and using tobacco. Lewis and Clark Public Health has seen a significant increase in the number of local high school students who use electronic nicotine products. In 2019, 48.7 percent of high school students in Lewis and Clark County reported being current users. Yet there have been few resources specifically available to help young people stop.

The new program, called My Life, My Quit, provides teens with a coach who listens to their unique needs, provides personalized support, and helps them develop a plan to become free from nicotine. The program includes educational materials created with the assistance of teens, subject matter experts, and community stakeholders.

"With the growing epidemic of non-traditional tobacco products like e-cigarettes and vaporizers, and the marketing tactics targeting teens, it's important for youth to have a resource specifically tailored to help them quit and recognize the health effects of these products," said Nate Wellington, Tobacco Use Prevention Health Educator at Lewis and Clark Public Health. "This is what the mylifemyquit.com program is designed to do."

To access the program, teens can text or call a dedicated toll-free number (1-855-891-9989), or they can visit mylifemyquit.com for real-time coaching. The program is free, confidential and discreet. Information cannot be shared without the teen's consent.

For more information about e-cigarettes, vaping, or My Life, My Quit, contact Wellington at [email protected] or 406-457-8924.