Commit to Quit is a cost-free, customizable cessation program that provides online and telephone support. Because quitting tobacco is not a ‘one size fits all’ experience, the Commit to Quit program provides personalization through experienced quit coaches who will help program participants figure out the right quit path for themselves. There are also face-to-face cessation programs available.
The program also includes:
- Two weeks of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products at no cost
- One-on-one assistance from a quit coach when needed
- Access to a private online community with others trying to quit
- A quit guide workbook that walks you through the steps to quit
- Lifetime membership – even if participants have trouble quitting, they will not be kicked out.
Phone Counseling
CT State Quit Line: 1-800-QUIT-NOW
Speak with a tobacco cessation “quit coach” and come up with an individualized quit plan which may include free Nicotine Replacement Medications, workbooks sent in the mail and unlimited phone calls with your coach. This service is free of cost.
American Lung Association LungHelpLine: 1-800-LUNG-USA
Registered nurses, respiratory therapists, certifies tobacco treatment specialists and counselors make up the LungHelpLine staff. They are ready to assist with lung health questions. People who call will get accurate information about lung cancer, asthma, COPD, quitting tobacco and multiple other lung health topics. This service is free of cost.
Text Messaging Programs
DITCH VAPE, from the Truth Initiative: Inspiring Tobacco-Free Lives this text messaging program offers young vapers a free support program to quit vaping. Text “DITCHVAPE” to 887-09. Parents and adults looking to help young people quit can text “QUIT” to (202) 899-7550.
Smokefree Text Messaging Program Text from Smokefree.gov offers free text messaging programs that give 24/7 encouragement, advice, and tips for becoming smokefree and being healthier. You can sign up or opt-out at any time.
SmokefreeTXT is for adults who want to quit smoking and offers:
- The program lasts 6-8 weeks, depending on your quit date. You will receive 3-5 messages per day.
- The text messages provide tips, advice, and encouragement to help you overcome challenges and stay motivated.
- Use the keywords for extra help at any time. Text CRAVE, MOOD, or SLIP to 47848.
Web-Based Resources
American Lung Association’s Freedom From Smoking:
FFS Online takes you through modules, each containing several lessons that you access through this protected website. These lessons include valuable information and most of them contain an assignment that you are to complete before moving on. This service costs $15 per 3 months or $40 per year.
Become an Ex: www.exprogram.com
The EX Plan is a quit smoking program based on personal experiences from ex-smokers as well as the latest scientific research from the experts at the Mayo Clinic. The EX Plan helps you see quitting not as one big war, but as a number of little battles you can actually win.
Connecticut QuitLine Web Coach: www.wellbeingenroll.net
This free program will provide you with exclusive access to Web Coach®, the online learning and support community. The program includes interactive lessons and exercises, tracking tools, online discussion forums with Quit Coaches and other participants. You’ll also get motivational emails throughout the program.
Other Resources
Smoke Free Teen: Smoke Free Teen
Tips and tools for young adults to stop using tobacco. The website includes information on vaping and on-line chat resources
You Can Quit 2 is a Department of Defense resource for military personnel who want to quit tobacco. The website has local resources and a 24/7 live chat resource.
The QuitPal is a free app that uses proven quit strategies and interactive tools to assist you with becoming tobacco free.
American Cancer Society’s Guide to Quitting Smoking: www.cancer.org
Nicotine Replacement Therapy: Medications such as Nicotine Patches, Lozenges, Gum, Nasal Spray and Chantix are available to help you quit. Speak with your Quit Coach or Doctor for more information.
We Are Helping Workplaces Go Tobacco Free!
The Goal
Tobacco free campuses (workplaces) promote a safe and healthy environment for everyone who works on or visits any of a town’s/organization’s campuses. As a town or organization, you want to protect people from exposure, create healthier communities and create social norms where the public expects tobacco free environments.
- Tobacco free policies help establish the community norm that tobacco use is not a safe behavior for young people or adults
- Evidence has shown that the use of smokeless tobacco products, such as chewing tobacco, snuff and snus, also create adverse health effects and can result in oral cancer, increased risk of heart attack, and contribute to cardiovascular disease
- It is estimated that only 15% of cigarette smoke gets inhaled by the smoker. The remaining 85% lingers in the air for everyone to breath.
- Studies are now showing that “third-hand smoke” (tobacco residue from cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products that linger in the air) is extremely dangerous. In Connecticut 400 nonsmokers die each year due to exposure to tobacco smoke.
- According to the Connecticut Dept. of Public Health’s office of Tobacco Use Prevention and Control, model policies and ordinances do not include exemptions for any type of tobacco products, person or event.
- Tobacco-free policies reduce tobacco litter. Cigarette butts and tobacco-related items make up 38% of all litter, creating costly clean up. With tobacco free policies, clean-up costs decrease.
Prohibiting All tobacco products helps reduce the susceptibility of youth and young adults getting addicted to tobacco products by encouraging healthy social norms. Prevention is critical. If young people don’t start using tobacco by age 26, they likely will never start.
Check out some cessation services
With funding from the CT Department of Public Health, EHHD has been able to contribute to several communities’ efforts to go tobacco free. As a result, EHHD has created toolkits to assist other communities. These toolkits include:
On June 1, 2016, the Town of Mansfield adopted a Tobacco Free Campus policy.If you would like to learn about ways to adopt a Tobacco Free Campus policy in your town or organization, please contact us!
On June 1, 2016, the Town of Mansfield adopted a Tobacco Free Campus policy.If you would like to learn about ways to adopt a Tobacco Free Campus policy in your town or organization, please contact us!
| Step 1: Write Your Policy | Convene or assign to an existing task force or special committee the responsibility of researching and drafting a policy for your town/organization. This group should consist of representatives from various sectors of your organization/town to ensure diverse perspectives and needs are taken into account. | |||
| Tips for Convening a Task Force or Committee: Community Toolbox (Weblink) | ||||
| Sample Text: The Town of Mansfield Tobacco Free Campus Policy (Weblink) | ||||
| Sample Text: American Cancer Society (Weblink) | ||||
| Step 2: Inform Your Employees/The Public | Host informational sessions, brown bag lunches, and staff meetings to inform relevant parties about the new policy. Be sure to include information about he “kick-off” date to give time for everyone to adjust to the change in policy and to have questions answered. | |||
| Sample PowerPoint Presentation: Town of Mansfield (PDF) | ||||
| Sample Text:Press Release for Apartment Buildings (Word) | ||||
| Sample Text: Downloadable Press Release Template From Tobacco Education Clearinghouse of California (Word) | ||||
| Step 3: Implement Your Policy | On the designated date, kick-off the new policy. Host a community event, post your new signage, and be sure you get the word out! | |||
| Sample Notification Cards: Downloadable Notification Card (Word) | ||||
| Sample Flyer: EHHD Notification Flyer for Mansfield (PDF) | ||||
| Sample Signage: CT Department of Public Health Sample Signage (Weblink) | ||||
| Step 4: Provide Smoking Cessation Services for Your Staff | Research shows that nearly 80% of adults who smoke are interested in quitting. This new policy may have been the push they needed to commit to quit! Offer up opportunities for interested individuals to access to smoking cessation resources. | |||
| For a comprehensive list of smoking cessation resources, visit EHHD’s Smoking Cessation Page! | ||||
| Other Useful Links and Resources: | Ct Department of Public Health: Smoking Free Workplace American Lung Association of Minnesota: Making your Worksite Tobacco-Free Center for Disease Control:a downloadable pdf, Make Your Business Smoke Free Toolkit | |||