DES MOINES, Iowa. (KMTV) — The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced the start of a program Monday designed to combat tobacco use and vaping in teens.
The 2018 Iowa Youth Survey shows 22.4% of 11th grade students, 8.3% of eighth grade students and 2.4% of sixth grade students are currently using e-cigarettes. IDPH now offers a program, called My Life, My Quit, for teens looking to stop using tobacco products--including e-cigarettes.
Educational materials designed for teens are included in the program. Teens can also call or text a toll-free number (855-891-9989) or visit mylifemyquit.com for real-time coaching.
Teens work with a coach through the program who listens and understands their unique needs, a press release says. The coach provides personalized support, helping teens build a plan to quit and become free from nicotine.
Iowa is one of nine states working with Quitline provider National Jewish Health to offer the cessation program.
According to IDPH, 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
- Five coaching sessions via live text messaging or by phone on a dedicated toll-free number (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
