County of Marin Health and Human Services

Tobacco Control Program

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NICOTINE = BRAIN POISON

Flavors 

  • The tobacco industry is hooking the next generation of addicts, and flavors are a big way in. Four out of five kids who have used tobacco started with a flavored product. 
  • Flavors mask the harsh taste of tobacco which makes it easier for kids to smoke.

Nicotine

  • The rise in teen vaping is finally news. But we need to know more about kids’ consumption of nicotine, such as how high the doses, and how great the risks. 
  • Most kids don't know that flavored e-cigarettes are high in nicotine. 

Poison

  • Nicotine is one of the most toxic of all poisons. It can rewire the brain, particularly vulnerable in the developing years, from adolescence to mid-twenties. In what ways? 
  • Nicotine changes the teen brain and affects attention, learning, and memory. It can worsen stressors already challenging in adolescence: impulsivity, learning difficulties, irritability, anxiety, and mood swings. 
  • But unlike other adolescent phases, changes to the brain from nicotine can be permanent.

Find out more at flavorshookkids.org.

What you need to know about the vape outbreak.

The Tobacco Prevention Services Office serves as an administrative agency responsible for allocating state and local dollars to deliver tobacco education program services to Marin County residents. The Office contracts for these services with local community-based agencies and provides contract management and monitoring to insure delivery of quality services to the residents of Marin County. The Office also writes plans and coordinates local tobacco control services, collaborating closely with law enforcement, the County Office of Education, the Smoke Free Marin Coalition and other community groups. The Office is also responsible for providing educational enforcement and technical assistance on local, state and federal tobacco control ordinances and laws.

One of the most important steps a community can take to improve its residents’ health is to create more smoke-free spaces. Marin County jurisdictions have all adopted laws to reduce and even eliminate secondhand smoke exposure where people work, play, and live. In recent years, The Smoke-Free Marin Coalition has worked with the Board of Supervisors and the City/Town Councils to provide excellent protections for residents in Multi-Unit Housing. 

California Smoker's Helpline
Telephone counseling is provided to all California residents free of charge.  Now, they have added a specific line for vaping. Thousands of Californians have quit smoking using this effective phone counseling program. Leave your phone number and someone will call you back to schedule your free sessions. Specific programs for teen smokers and chewing tobacco users are also available.  Visit www.nobutts.org for more info. 

Counselors are available weekdays, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • 1-800-NO- BUTTS (English) & Teen line (for smokers)
  • 1-844-8-NO-VAPE (1-844-866-8273) (for vape users)
  • 1-800-844-CHEW (for chewing tobacco)
  • 1-800-45-NO FUME (Spanish)
  • 1-800-400-0866 Chinese)
  • 1-800-554-5564 (Korean)
  • 1-800-778-8440 (Vietnamese)
  • 1-800-933-4-TDD (Deaf/Hearing Impaired)

Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Health Education Department can be reached at (415) 833-3450. Kaiser Permanente has resources to work with members to develop a plan of action to quit smoking on your own and strategies to prevent relapse.

Individualized Programs
Some individuals have found help through individualized programs such as:

  • Acupuncture
  • Nutritional Therapy
  • Addiction Counseling
  • Hypnotherapy
  • Self Help (Marin County Libraries/local bookstores)

While we are unable to provide specific referrals, we suggest you consult with your Healthcare provider for possible referrals and/or telephone directory.

Tobacco and Vaping Cessation Resources for Youth

Counseling Services

California’s Smokers’ Helpline

  • 1-800-NO-BUTTS (1-800-662-8887) for traditional cigarette use
  • 1-844-8-NO-VAPE (1-844-866-8273) for e-cigarette or “vape” use
  • No butts.org and Nobutts.org/youthvaping​
  • This free, confidential, over-the-phone “hotline” is available to youth ages 13 and older to help smokers quit tobacco use and vaping.

Truth Initiative: This is Quitting Youth Vaping Cessation Text program

  • Text #ditchjuul to 88709 for counseling/support via text messages
  • Truth Initiative website with information and resources for youth and adults supporting youth cessation from these devices. 

National Cancer Institute (NCI) and U.S. Department of Public Health

Website: https://teen.smokefree.gov

This website offers tools to help youth (ages 13-19) quit including:

  • Online counseling called “LiveHelp” while on the website (pops up automatically and is available Monday-Friday 6am-6pm PT (teen.smokefree.gov)
  • Text QUIT to 47848 to receive texts that send encouragements and messages of support
  • Teens can download the quitStart App on their smartphones
  • Quitline for smoking 877-44U-QUIT (877-448-7848) available Monday-Friday from 6am-6pm PT

National Jewish Health: https://mylifemyquit.com/resources-educators.html
Call or text “Start My Quit” to 855.891.9989 or enroll online (link above).

Additional Resources and Materials

Center for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/
Provides latest information on the vaping epidemic

Flavors Hook Kids Campaign: https://www.flavorshookkids.org/
This website provides resources for adults supporting youth quit their vape use and provides impactful information for youth to explore as well.