October 18, 3:40 a.m.
A free mobile program designed to help young people quit vaping has been launched in Douglas County.
According to the 2017 Oregon Healthy Teens Survey, 9 percent of eighth graders and 12 percent of eleventh graders in Douglas County currently use e-cigarettes. For eleventh graders, this was higher than the percentage using traditional tobacco cigarettes.
Douglas Public Health Network, Blues Zones Project Umpqua and CHI Mercy Health are partnering to bring the Truth Initiative to Douglas County according to a DPHN release. “This is Quitting” is described as the first-of-its-kind text messaging program which incorporates messages from other young people who have attempted to, or successfully quit, e-cigarettes. The release said the messages show the real side of quitting, both good and bad, to help young people feel motivated, inspired and supported throughout their quitting process. The program also has evidence-based tips and strategies to quit and stay quit. Since the program was released in January of this year, 54,000 young people have enrolled nationwide.
Those interested in enrolling in the program can simply text ”VAPEFREEDC” to 88709. Users may set a quit date by texting in the desired date. They will receive one support text per day for prior to and at least 30 days after their set quit date.
The release said flyers and palm cards with the text code and number will be distributed to schools and other community partners across Douglas County who engage with youth and young adults. For more information about the program or to request materials, call DPHN at 677-5825.