Programs help reduce tobacco use

To the editor:

Though the holidays are meant to bring peace and joy, for many these are times of high stress.

This stress ranges from kids dealing with divorced parents through the holidays to parents financially struggling because of gift giving. Whatever it may be, stress levels are rising, which means those who smoke are turning to tobacco and nicotine products more frequently.

There is no denying the rising trend of youth getting their hands on and addicted to tobacco or nicotine products, especially with the take over of “vapes.” This issue is especially urgent in Jay County’s school system. Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition offers resources to help reduce the use of tobacco during the stressful times of the holiday season.

One program JCDPC offers is VOICE.

VOICE is a youth empowerment initiative, giving students across the state a way to fight the tobacco industry, celebrate a lifestyle without tobacco and help users find a safe, tobacco-free, healthy environment.

The cause has become extremely important as vaping rates in teenagers approach epidemic numbers. Members of VOICE have many opportunities to lead their schools and communities by displaying a tobacco-free lifestyle and advertising this lifestyle through events like the Great American Smokeout.

According to VOICE Indiana’s website, its mission is to “engage, educate, and empower youth as leaders and advocates in their communities through sustained youth-adult partnerships.”

A second program JCDPC is partnered with is Quit Now Indiana.

Quit Now offers free resources to anybody in the state ages 13 or older. Indiana residents above the age of 13 can contact the Quitline at (800) Quit-Now or QuitNowIndiana.com to receive free resources to start their quit journey. Upon calling the Quitline, callers will be connected with a FREE quit coach.

Thank you for your time,

Deni O’Brien

Project assistant

Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition