The NH Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Public Health Services (DPHS) encourages New Hampshire residents to join thousands of people across the country in the American Cancer Society’s GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUT® on Thursday, November 17, 2022.

Overall, tobacco use has declined in New Hampshire. However, the 2019 High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey indicates that almost half of New Hampshire high-school-aged youth reported using a vape product.

“Cigarette smoking among teens is low but unfortunately vaping is increasingly popular among this age group,” DPHS Director Patricia Tilley stated.

“All tobacco products contain nicotine which disturbs healthy brain development, especially in teens and young adults. The best thing for any teen who has started vaping, is to stop – and there are programs that can help.”

Regardless of age, quitting tobacco is one of the most important actions people can take to improve their health. DHHS has services and resources that have already helped over one thousand New Hampshire residents quit smoking. Adults should call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or log into www.QuitNowNH.org to enroll in the Quit Coach Program and receive home delivery of nicotine replacement therapy products at no cost to the resident. New Hampshire also offers My Life, My Quit, a tobacco cessation service for teens, who want to quit using any tobacco product. My Life, My Quit, provides free and confidential services to youth.  Participants can enroll online at mylifemyquit.com or by calling or texting “Start My Quit” to 1-855-891-9989.

The DHHS Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program provides resources and education on vaping products to anyone. For more information, contact the NH Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program at tpcp@dhhs.nh.gov or (603) 271-6891.