Tobacco Prevention News

The New Year is all about creating a new you. One of the best ways to be a “new you” is to become tobacco or nicotine-free.

Quitting the use of commercial tobacco or nicotine products in any form is the best thing you can do for your health. If you’re considering quitting, now is a great time to take that step. If you’ve already stopped even for one day, congratulate yourself and take a moment to appreciate what you have done.

Quitting tobacco or nicotine can be the single most important step one can take to enhance the length and quality of their life. Regardless of the nicotine product or how long you’ve been using it, the Montana Tobacco Quit Line can help you quit.

An effective way to quit any tobacco or nicotine product is to have a plan. You do not have to do this alone. Having a support system in place will help you on your journey. Whether you prefer a group setting, online services or to speak with someone over the phone, there is a cessation support program that’s right for you.

Once you join, you will have free access to special tools, a supportive team of quit coaches and a community of others trying to become tobacco-free. Expert coaches help you overcome common barriers such as dealing with stress, fighting cravings, coping with irritability and controlling weight gain.

Montanans who use the Quit Line are 7 to 10 times more likely to successfully quit than those who try quitting on their own without the help of medications.

The Quit Line offers free counseling with a certified quit coach, free nicotine replacement therapy (patches, gum or lozenges) or quit medications to those who enroll and complete their first coaching session and a personalized quit plan.

Are you a Montana teen who wants to quit? According to the 2021 Montana Youth Risk Behavior Survey, among Montana high school students who had used tobacco in the last 12 months, 60 percent tried to quit. My Life, My Quit, a specialized Quit Line program for Montanans under the age of 18, offers access to confidential coaching over chat, text or phone to help quit all forms of commercial tobacco, including e-cigarettes.

The Quit Line also offers individualized programs for pregnant women who want to quit for their own health and the health of their baby, an American Indian program that connects callers with American Indian coaches, and a program specifically designed to support those with behavioral health conditions.

For more information about these resources, call or visit the following websites:

•Montana Tobacco Quit Line: 1-800-QUIT-NOW or QuitNowMontana.com.

•American Indian Commercial Tobacco Quit Line: 1-855-5AI-QUIT or MTAmercianIndianQuitLine. com.

• My Life, My Quit (Under 18): 1-855-891-9989 or MyLife-MyQuit.com.

You can do this, and we are waiting to help you.