For Those Under Age 18

Teen Cessation Support

Glad you found us, and glad you’re interested in quitting tobacco and/or electronic nicotine devices (e-cigarettes, hookah, vape pens, etc.)

Under age 18? While you can’t enroll in Missouri’s Tobacco Quit Line coaching sessions until you are 18, a quit coach can send you a quit kit with information about quitting tobacco. Nicotine replacement products (NRTs) are FDA-approved for adults ages 18 and older who want to quit smoking. If you are under 18, please consult your healthcare provider.

Ready to quit?

Call the Quit Line for your quit kit and check out these resources below for more support!

1-800-QUIT-NOW

teen.smokefree.gov
nosmokingroom.org
thisisquitting.com

Quit Facts

Keep your motivation to quit strong with these facts:

  • You lose control with nicotine – it’s a highly addictive drug – more addictive than cocaine or heroin, according to the U.S. Surgeon General. Because the adolescent brain is still developing, nicotine use during adolescence can disrupt the formation of brain circuits that control attention, learning, and susceptibility to addiction.
  • Tobacco companies have increased nicotine levels in cigarettes, making quitting more difficult and addicting new users (children) more quickly.
  • Ammonia and acetaldehyde are two chemicals that they add to tobacco to increase addictive properties – meant to keep you addicted!
  • E-Cigarettes –are devices that heat a liquid into an aerosol that the user inhales. The liquid usually has nicotine and flavoring in it, and other additives. The nicotine in e-cigarettes and regular cigarettes is addictive. E-cigarettes are considered tobacco products because most of them contain nicotine, which comes from tobacco.
Youth Risks of E-Cigarettes

The Cost of Smoking Addiction

Smoking by teens and young adults can cause serious and potentially deadly health issues immediately and into adulthood. Risks include reduced lung function and growth, and early cardiovascular disease.

The Tobacco Industry is not your friend. Secret tobacco documents reveal they intentionally target teens as “replacement smokers” for their customers who die from tobacco use. Want to trust a product that comes from companies who know their product will make you really sick and kill you?

“We are, then, in the business of selling nicotine, an addictive drug.”

Addison Yeaman, General Counsel to Brown & Williamson Tobacco Company, 1963

“Today’s teenager is tomorrow’s potential regular customer, and the overwhelming majority of smokers first begin to smoke while still in their teens …The smoking patterns of teenagers are particularly important to Phillip Morris.”

Phillip Morris, (source: Special Report, “Young Smokers: Prevalence, Trends, Implications, and Related Demographic Trends.” 1981)

Looking for work is already a challenge for teens

– tobacco use can make it harder –

  • Statewide smoke-free workplace laws (including e-cigs!)
  • Many companies, as well as schools and universities, do not allow tobacco – not only inside office buildings but also on their property
  • Many companies won’t hire persons who smoke
  • Looking at a career in the military? The armed forces discourage tobacco use – they know it compromises troop physical fitness!