Need More Information on Vaping?
The internet and social media offer a lot of information on vaping nicotine, not all of it true. For the most accurate and up-to-date facts, visit these trusted sources:
Quit
Quitting vaping is possible. If you have tried before, your prior attempts were practice for your successful quit. Here you’ll find free information and resources to help you quit.
Decide to Quit
Why should you quit vaping? Take this free Vaping Reality Check from SmokeFree Teen to learn how vaping can affect your life and health.
If you’re trying to get a loved one to quit vaping, starting the discussion can be difficult. The person may not want to discuss it, not think they have a problem, or feel afraid or ashamed.
Planning the talk can help make the conversation go more smoothly. This free resource, How to Talk About Vaping: A Discussion Guide for Parents, can help parents, teachers, and friends plan what to say and when to say it.
Make a Quit Plan
A person who decides to stop vaping nicotine may find it helpful to build a quit plan. A quit plan can keep them on track and get them through tough moments.
Quit plans often include:
1. Choose a Quit Date
Pick a date that allows enough time to prepare by creating a quit plan, throwing away vapes and vapor products, and washing clothes, bedding, and anything else that smells like menthol or flavors. Mark the quit date on a calendar or set up a phone alert. Consider planning something special to mark the first step toward a vape-free life.
2. Find Your Reasons
A person who understands why they want to stop vaping nicotine will find it easier to stick to their quit plan. There are no wrong reasons to stop vaping, and each person’s reasons will be different. You might want to quit vaping to:
- Breathe more easily
- Feel less stressed, anxious or depressed
- Do better in school or sports
- Stop parents from worrying
- Be a good role model
- Save money
Post your list of reasons somewhere you’ll see it every day to give you inspiration and motivation.
3. Know Your Triggers
Vaping can be tied to many areas of your life. You may vape when you feel down or stressed, or you may be in the habit of vaping when you are with friends, driving, or scrolling through social media.
The brain connects vaping with these activities, so after you quit, when you engage with activities, feelings, or people that the brain has linked to vaping, you may have the urge to reach for a vape. This is called being ”triggered.”
The best way to manage vaping triggers is to know what they are, make a list, and have a plan for how to deal with them. For more on triggers and how to deal with them, visit Understanding Your Vaping Triggers at SmokeFree Teen.
4. Deal With Cravings
Vape cravings can be one of the most difficult things about quitting vaping. After the last vape, the body will still crave nicotine for days or weeks. Cravings can range in intensity from mild to overwhelming. Having a plan to deal with cravings can help you stay on track and remain vape-free. For more information, visit Deal With Vape Cravings at SmokeFree Teen.
5. Build Your Team
You don’t have to quit vaping alone. Having support makes quitting easier. Share your quit date with trusted friends and family and ask them to support you in your efforts to quit. These free resources can also help.
Connecticut Quitline – Free, confidential phone support for people who want to quit vaping. Help is available 24 hours/day seven days/week at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).
Yale University Vaping Cessation Program – Free online counseling and support for high-school-aged youth who want to quit vaping.