(LEX 18) — Teens and young adults are becoming addicted to tobacco and vaping products at alarming rates.
So now the Kentucky Department for Public Health has launched a new program targeting people between the ages of 13 to 24 years-old to help them quit.
There are two programs, both are free, one is called "My Life, My Quit" and the other is called "This is Quitting" they both offer support through automated text messages.
To enroll in "This is Quitting" individuals can text "KENTUCKY" to 88709, and for up to 9 weeks they will receive texts of encouragement through the quitting process.
To enroll in "My Life, My Quit" individuals can text "START MY QUIT" to 855-891-9989.
This comes in lieu of recent legislation that has increased the age of legal tobacco sales to 21, this program wants to help those under that age that may have already become addicted.
"We know that most teenagers who use tobacco products do want to quit but they don't necessarily know the resources and the support they need to be successful. These services should work in complement with parental support, with school support, and with health care provider support," says Elizabeth Anderson-Hoagland a supervisor for the Kentucky Department for Public Health.
