Don't let nicotine get in the way of your goals.
If you’re thinking about quitting or ready to quit – we are here to help.
This confidential program for teens ages 13-17 shares proven strategies to quit and text messages from others like you who are trying to quit or successfully quit vaping.
Stress and anxiety can trigger nicotine cravings and make it harder to quit smoking, vaping and chewing.
Check out these tips to deal with stress instead:
- Take deep breaths.
- Go for a walk.
- Do things that make you happy, like basketball or drawing.
- Talk to an adult you trust, like a counselor or a health care provider.
Create your plan to quit
It’s typical to feel anxious or moody when you quit nicotine.
Talk to a health care provider or an adult you trust if these feelings are overwhelming or continue for more than two weeks.
If you need help now, talk with a trained crisis counselor:
Know the risks of nicotine
Mental health
Using nicotine might be making your mental health worse. The chemical nicotine is found in most tobacco and vape products. Nicotine can make feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression worse. This may be because nicotine affects chemical messengers called neurotransmitters in your brain, like acetylcholine (or ACh). Changes in ACh levels can impact anxiety and depression. The good news is quitting can lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression over the long term.
Brain development
Nicotine is harmful to developing brains. During the teen and young adult years, your brain is going through a major growth spurt. Using nicotine products can cause changes to the “wiring” of your brain. It can change the parts of your brain responsible for decision making, impulse control, and mood regulation. This can interfere with your mood and make you more likely to get addicted to nicotine and other drugs. It can also cause problems with learning, memory, and mood.
Toxic metals and cancer-causing chemicals
Tobacco and nicotine products can contain toxic metals like nickel, tin and lead. They also contain chemicals known to cause cancer. These chemicals are also found in car exhaust, gasoline and antifreeze. These things don’t belong in your body.
The tobacco industry
In Alaska, major tobacco companies spend about $16 million each year to get new customers addicted. Flavors, marketing ads, and promotions are specifically designed to get you hooked early. Don’t let yourself be the target.
The environment
Waste from cigarettes and vapes hurts the environment. It’s not just about what these products put into our bodies. It’s also about what they put into the earth. Cigarette butts are one of the most littered items on earth. Vape waste has plastics, heavy metals, and chemicals. These can pollute our land, water, and animals.
Don’t put e-cigarettes or vape cartridges in your household trash. Take these to the nearest hazardous waste collection site. Learn more about safe vape disposal here.
More Resources for You
Under age 18?
While you can’t enroll in Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line coaching sessions until you are 18, a quit coach can send you a quit kit with information about quitting smoking, vaping or chewing. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or text “READY” to 34191.
Not Buying It on Instagram
Follow our messages on Instagram for more facts and information. @notbuyingit.alaska
Ready to quit chewing tobacco?
Text SPIT to 222888 to get daily text messages that will help you quit chewing.
Quitting can be tough, but you can do it.
Nicotine addiction can look different from person to person. Even if you only use tobacco or vapes once in a while, you can be addicted. Check out additional info from Smokefree Teen.
Choose to live Indigenous and free
Choose to live Indigenous and Free with ANTHC
Check out these vaping resources from the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium.