Tobacco Prevention Notes

Nearly half of today’s high school aged students in Montana have tried using electronic cigarettes and nearly a quarter of them are daily vape users. Since July 1, 2019, National Jewish Health, the nation’s largest non-profit tobacco quit line provider together with nine partner states including Montana’s Tobacco Use Prevention Program has implemented an enhanced tobacco cessation program for teens who want to stop using tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes and vapes.

The My Life, My Quit teen quit line program includes educational materials designed for teens that were created through focus groups with teens, subject matter experts and community stakeholders. This quit line is set up so teens can text “Start My Quit” to 36072, call a toll-free number (1.855.891.9989), or they can visit mylifemyquit.com for real-time coaching. By using texting or chatting, it allows teens to utilize the quit line in a way they are comfortable with. Through the program, teens work with a coach who listens and understands their specific needs, provides personalized support, and helps them build a quit plan to become free from nicotine.

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 (text “Start My Quit to 36072) or by phone on a dedicated tollfree 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 One thing that will soon be available at the respective schools in the county are vaping quit kits. These quit kits include gum, candies, straws, rubber bands, and a journal. The journal includes activities that youth can use the straws and rubber bands to keep themselves busy. The gum and candy due to the flavors are helpful in aiding youth that wish to quit vaping. The 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey showed that nearly all (99 percent) of youth that use vaping products do so because of the flavors that are available.

For questions about the My Life My Quit teen quit line, contact local tobacco education specialist A.J. Allen at 406-653-6212.