Vaping is now the biggest threat.
It’s time to get smart. Get the facts and reACT.
It’s an aerosol, NOT harmless water vapor.
Get this: It’s NOT water vapor (yeah, the ads forgot to mention that). It’s an aerosol you’re inhaling, with a cluster of dangerous particles and chemicals, like:
- Nicotine: which is highly addictive, AND it changes your brain chemistry
- Ultrafine Particles: which can be inhaled deep into your lungs
- Flavoring (chemicals): like diacetyl, a chemical linked to a serious lung disease
- Volatile Organic Compounds
- Cancer-Causing Chemicals
- Heavy Metals: like nickel, tin, and lead
Plus, there’s no way to know what’s in them—because they aren’t regulated. For example, some vape products marketed as “0% nicotine” have been found to contain nicotine in tests.
Vaping is still fairly new, so the exact dangers—short-and long-term health effects—aren’t yet known. You’ve seen the news about hundreds of people with serious illnesses from vaping. Some have already died.
Our reACTion? We’re not gonna be the “lab rats” for the Vaping Industry. Nope!
Learn more about vaping.
The Hard Truth Makes for an Easy Decision
Big Tobacco seems to believe and say that their products are not created or marketed for youth but we’ll show you the truth of their lies stat by stat. Check out this video breaking down the reality of tobacco use among our peers in Montana.
Deception. Manipulation. Lies.
That’s what we’re facing—and we’ve had enough. The Vaping Industry targets us. Big Tobacco targets us. They spend millions on advertising in Montana. Why? To turn us into life-long customers—replacements for customers who die from using their deadly products.
Not happening—we’re taking a stand.
Nice try, but we’re onto their tricks. They advertise vapes in convenience stores. They are surrounded by candy, at the eye level of little kids. And, they offer price promotions like “buy one get one 50% off” to get us hooked early.
Big Tobacco Quotes:
“It is during the teenage years that the initial brand choice is made.”
– Phillip Morris
“Cherry Skoal is for somebody who likes the taste of candy, if you know what I mean.”
– US Tobacco Sales Rep
“The ability to attract new smokers and develop them into a young adult franchise is key to brand development.”
– Phillip Morris
Here’s where they’re trying to target us:
Mental Health & Vaping
Mental Health and Vaping (as cited by the Truth Initiative): [1] [2]
- Many tobacco users believe smoking reduces stress or anxiety.[3]
- The nicotine in vapes can amplify feelings of depression and anxiety.[4][5]
- 81% who had used e-cigarettes said they started vaping to decrease stress, anxiety, or depression.[6]
- 78% of respondents who reported ever vaping but had not quit said they would feel better about themselves if they quit vaping.[6]
- 90% of those who quit said they felt less stressed, anxious, or depressed.[6]
- 47% of respondents who quit vaping reported that they felt more in control when they quit vaping.[6]
- Studies show that quitting nicotine can have as strong an impact on mental health as antidepressants.[7]
Vaping & The Environment
Tobacco use is not only a health issue but also an environmental issue.[22]
- 51% of young e-cigarette users reported disposing of used e-cigarette pods or empty disposables in the trash[23]
- 17% in a regular recycling bin not designed for e-cigarette waste[23]
- 10% reported they throw them on the ground, according to TRUTH Initiative research conducted in 2020.[23]
- Almost half (49.1%) of young people don’t know what to do with used e-cigarette pods and disposable devices.[23]
E-cigarette waste is potentially a more serious environmental threat than cigarette butts since e-cigarettes introduce plastic, nicotine salts, heavy metals, lead, and flammable lithium-ion batteries into waterways, soil, and wildlife. Unlike cigarette butts, e-cigarette waste won’t biodegrade even under severe conditions.
When e-cigarettes and cigarette waste aren’t disposed of properly, the e-cigarettes and cigarette waste makes it’s way into the environment, polluting water, air, and land with toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and residual nicotine.
Ready to Quit?
Good news! You have options! There are several quitlines out there, so you can find the one that works best for you. We primarily promote My Life, My Quit, and This is Quitting. Keep scrolling to learn more about these free and confidential programs.
My Life My Quit
A program designed specifically for Montanans under 18 looking to quit any form of tobacco (cigarettes, vaping devices, cigars/cigarillos, and smokeless tobacco). [26]
The program at http://www.mylifemyquit.com provides youth access to tailored resources for quitting.
Some of its features include:
- Confidential enrollment and coaching.
- Coaches who receive special training on the best ways to build relationships with youth.
- Five coaching sessions by phone, live texting, or chat with a coach who will listen and help teens navigate social situations while finding healthy ways to cope with stress.
- Additional text messages for support to quit vaping, smoking, or chewing tobacco.
- Website (mylifemyquit.com) with online enrollment, chat with a live coach, information about vaping and Tobacco, and activities to support quitting.
- Promotional and educational materials designed for youth, with messages from youth who’ve been quitting tobacco and vaping.
- A water-marked certificate of completion of the program.
Start Your Quit Today
- Text “start” to 36072,
- Visit mylifemyquit.com or Call 1-855-891-9989
TRUTH INITIATIVE- This is Quitting
Another program is the free mobile program from TRUTH Initiative called This is Quitting is also designed to help youth and young people quit vaping.[27]
Special features:
- The first-of-its-kind text messaging program incorporates messages from other young people like them who have attempted to or successfully quit e-cigarettes.
- Their messages show the real side of quitting, both the good and bad, to help youth and young people feel motivated, inspired, and supported throughout their quitting process.
- TRUTH also sends youth and young people evidence-based tips on product usage to give teens and young adults appropriate recommendations about quitting.
- Those who are not ready to quit receive at least four weeks of messages focused on building skills and confidence.
- Users with a quit date receive one week of messages prior to that date and at least eight weeks of messages after their quit date.
- Users can text COPE, STRESS, SLIP, or MORE throughout the program to receive instant support.
- Upon completion of the program, users receive periodic text messages from truth® and may continue to use supportive keywords for as long as they like.
- “Run it Back” relapse library includes theory-based support messaging for two weeks prior to and two months after a repeat quit effort in the program.
What youth and young people say…,
Here’s what some youth and young people have said about This is Quitting:
- “They are cool; they make me feel as if I’m not alone in this journey.” – Anonymous, teen
- “They make it seem like there is a way out of addiction.” – Chase, teen
- “It expresses the emotions of quitting from other people.” – domlussier, teen
- “They’re the one thing rooting for me to quit.” – EG, teen
- “They’re not super in your face. They serve as a quick “hey don’t do the thing you’re thinking about right now.” – Cole, teen
- “They encourage me not to JUUL, they offer alternatives when I get a craving. I started going to the gym and working out instead of JUULing.” – Scarlett, young adult
- “They remind me there’s no room to turn back to something harmful.” – Meredith, young adult
Start Your Quit Today
- Text DITCHVAPE to 88709.
- Visit https://www.thetruth.com/ [thetruth.com] or https://truthinitiative.org/thisisquitting [truthinitiative.org] to learn more
Education Resources
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
[1] Truth Initiative. Colliding Crises: Youth Mental Health & Nicotine Use. https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/emerging-tobacco-products/colliding-crises-youth-mental-health-and-nicotine-use/ Accessed June 10, 2022.
[2] Truth Initiative. Nicotine Use & Stress: The Impact of Nicotine. https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/emerging-tobacco-products/nicotine-use-and-stress/ Accessed June 10, 2022.
[3] Truth Initiative Mental Health x Vaping Headline Survey Internal Data – August 2021.
[4] Kutlu MG, Gould TJ. Nicotine modulation of fear memories and anxiety: Implications for learning and anxiety disorders. Biochemical Published Online First: 2015/08/02]
[5] Lechner WV, Janssen T, Kahler CW, et al. Bi-directional associations of electronic and combustible cigarette use onset patterns with depressive symptoms in adolescents. Preventive Medicine 2017;96:73-78.
[6] Truth Initiative Mental Health x Vaping Headline Survey Internal Data – August 2021.
[7] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Smoking—50 years of Progress: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2014.
[22] Truth Initiative. A Toxic, Plastic Problem: E-Cigarette Waste & The Environment. https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/harmful-effect-tobacco/toxic-plastic-problem-e-cigarette-waste-and-environment/ Accessed June 10, 2022.
[23] Nielsen xAOC Including C-Store and Truth Initiative calculations.
[24] Environmental Protection Agency. Basic Information about Electronics Stewardship. https://www.epa.gov/smm-electronics/basic-informationabout-electronics-stewardship. Published 2020. Accessed.
[25] DEA to accept electronic vaping devices and cartridges as part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2019/10/18/dea-acceptelectronic-vaping-devices-and-cartridges-part-national. Accessed February 12, 2021.
[26] My Life My Quit, a program of National Jewish Health. http://mt.mylifemyquit.org/ Accessed June 10, 2022.
[27] This is Quitting. https://truthinitiative.org/about-this-is-quitting/ Accessed June 10, 2022.
