Tips for Parents | Tobacco-Free Jeffco

Tips for Parents and Caregivers

You can help your children make healthy choices about tobacco.

Find helpful tips in the chart below:

Learn about tobacco and vaping before you start the conversation.
Ask your teen open-ended questions about what they are seeing amongst their peers and in social media and how they feel about vaping.
Listen to your teen.
Be a trustable adult.

There are a number of helpful, free resources that are designed for teens who are ready to quit tobacco:

- Second Chance: The Second Chance program is a free, online nicotine education program that can be used as an alternative to suspension for middle and high school youth who have violated tobacco- free schools policies or local laws. The program can also be used for youth who are experimenting with tobacco or other nicotine products. The program gives the young person an opportunity to reflect on their use of these products and move them towards quitting. If you are parent/guardian who is interested in having their young person work through Second Chance, reach out to see if someone at their school is a Second Chance administrator.
- Not On Tobacco (N-O-T) Program: An American Lung Association program designed for teens who smoke/vape. The 8-10 session group-format is facilitated by someone who has completed a training on the curriculum and how to support youth through the quitting process. The program is offered periodically in several Jefferson County high schools. Find out if your teen’s school is offering this or another program to help youth quit.
- Colorado Youth QuitLine: The Colorado QuitLine offers free text, online, and phone coaching for youth 12 and over. Medications may be available for ages 18+. Visit COYouthQuitLine.org or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) to learn more.
- This is Quitting: A free text-based cessation program offered by The Truth Initiative to help young people quit tobacco. Text text DITCHJUUL to 887-09 to get started.
- Smokefree Teen/quitStart: Smokefree Teen is part of the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Smokefree.gov initiative. Smokefree Teen helps teens stop using tobacco by providing information grounded in scientific evidence and offering free tools that meet teens where they are—on their mobile phones. Their text messaging program can help teens quit smoking, and the quitSTART app helps teens become smoke free by providing helpful strategies for tackling cravings, bad moods, and other situations where teens may smoke. to get started.
- MyLifeMyQuit.com: Text “Start My Quit” to 855-891-9989 or call. The My Life, My Quit program is a free and confidential service developed by National Jewish Health, the nation’s number one respiratory hospital, for teens who want help quitting all forms of tobacco including vaping. By enrolling, teen participants receive:
  - Five, one-on-one coaching sessions usually scheduled every 7-10 days. Coaching helps teens develop a quit plan, identify triggers, practice refusal skills and receive ongoing support for changing behaviors.
  - Coaches available by phone, by text message or by online chat.
  - Self-help and educational materials designed for teens, with input from teens.

Get involved in local efforts!

To get involved in local tobacco prevention efforts, please visit this page, call 303-275-7555 or email tobaccofree@jeffco.us. You can also encourage your teen to get involved in a local youth coalition!