Tobacco Awareness

Video: Sweet Deception

A roundtable discussions on the unknown risks of flavored tobacco

Ready to Quit ?

Healthy Communities offers tobacco cessation classes using the American Lung Association's “Freedom From Smoking” program in a group setting. Over the course of 7 weeks, you will work with other people who are quitting along with a trained facilitator to set a quit date, build a quit plan, and work through your first few months tobacco-free. The cost of the class is $35, though scholarships are available. Medication assistance (nicotine patches or gum) is available during the duration of the session. To register for the class call 812-376-3194 or visit the events section of this website. Questions? Call 812-375-3194 or email [email protected].

Overview

TOBACCO AWARENESS ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOLS: Tobacco use remains the single-most preventable cause of death in our society. Cigarette smoking is responsible for nearly one in five deaths in the United States. Healthy Communities has initiated several programs since its inception in 1996 to reduce the use of tobacco products in Bartholomew County, especially among children. Healthy Communities partners with Foundation for Youth to bring the VOICE coalition to teens in Bartholomew County to empower them to celebrate a tobacco-free life.

SMOKE-FREE WORKPLACE: Beginning June 1, 2013 nearly all public places in Columbus, including bars/taverns and private clubs, are smoke-free. Vaping was added to the city ordinance and went into effect on October 19, 2019. We continually work to strengthen the laws that protect workers from the dangers of secondhand smoke.

VAPING CESSATION: This is Quitting is a free mobile program from Truth Initiative designed to help young people quit vaping. 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. Truth's messages show the real side of quitting, both the good and the bad, to help young people feel motivated, inspired and supported throughout their quitting process. They also send young people evidence-based tips and strategies to quit and stay quit. This is Quitting is tailored based on age (within 13 to 24 years old) and product usage to give teens and young adults appropriate recommendations about quitting. To enroll in This is Quitting, Indiana teens and young adults text DITCH VAPE to 88709. Additionally, parents of teens and young adults who vape can text QUIT to (202) 899-7550 to sign up to receive text messages designed specifically for parents of vapers.
The Tobacco Awareness Action Team, a Healthy Communities Initiative, also supports and promotes Quit Now Indiana for cessation. Quit Now Indiana is the frontline tool for helping Hoosiers end nicotine dependence and is available for free to all Hoosiers 18 years and older and special programs for behavior health and pregnant women. The Quitline now serves youth tobacco users. This new evidence-based phone counseling program is for teens, ages 13 to 17, who are ready to quit. Simply call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or 1-800-784-8669 from 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or visit the Quit Now Indiana for more information. When you call the Quitline, you will talk with a trained Quit Coach who can help develop a customized quitting plan. Quit Now Indiana also offers resources to support partners.
Healthy Communities provides support to community organizations and businesses interested in additional training or onsite cessation resources for their employees. For more information, contact the Tobacco Program Coordinator at 812-375-3194.