New Text Line Can Help Teens Quit Vaping

Free help is now available for teens who want to quit vaping through the Live Vape Free Text Line. Teens can access the service by texting “VAPEFREE” to the number 873373. Ads promoting the text line are running on popular social media networks like Snapchat and TikTok until the end of March.

In Wisconsin, close to half (45.5%) of high school students have tried vaping according to the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Results from the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey implemented in area schools in the fall will be available soon and will provide insight on how these trends have changed over the past 3 years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nicotine is highly addictive and can harm adolescent brain development, which continues into the early to mid-20s. Knowing the harmful effects of nicotine makes it important for current e-cigarette users to quit vaping.

In 2021, tobacco retailer compliance checks through the Synar Project found that over 14% of the retailers inspected in WI sold a tobacco or nicotine product to a minor. Purchasing tobacco and nicotine products is just one way that youth can access vape products. However, through the Wisconsin Wins program, retailers are given access to tools such as free ID verification training to ensure they don’t sell tobacco and nicotine products to youth. This training can be accessed at www.WItobaccocheck.org.

Parents, guardians, or other adults who want to help a young person in their life quit e-cigarettes can enroll in a free online course at www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/vapefree. The course teaches about warning signs and gives tips and tools for talking to the teen in their life. As a reminder, teens can access free help by texting “VAPEFREE” to the number 873373.