The Weld County Tobacco Education and Prevention program is funded through a grant from the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment as part of the Amendment 35 Tobacco Tax through the state Tobacco Education and Prevention Partnership (STEPP).
The Weld County Tobacco Education & Prevention program works to reduce tobacco use through:
- Preventing initiation of tobacco use among young people
- Developing and identifying services to help people quit tobacco use (cessation)
- Educating and protecting people from secondhand smoke
- Addressing inequities in tobacco use among diverse populations
Thom was a participant of the Weld County Tobacco Education and Prevention Program's Freedom From Smoking® classes. His biggest piece of advice from the video: "Don't quit trying to quit." If you want to quit, learn more about Freedom From Smoking® or sign-up for classes.
Do you or a loved one want to quit smoking, vaping, chewing, or other nicotine products? We are here to help and have several services we can connect you with for all people and ages.
Youth Services
My Life, My Quit
My Life, My Quit is a free and confidential service for teens who want to quit smoking or vaping. The My Life, My Quit online program is self-guided, meaning you can go through it at your own pace. The program provides activities to support quitting and stress relief, as well as access to coaches who are on demand via text or live chat for additional support and tips. Get started by texting "Start" to 36072.
This is Quitting
This is Quitting is a free, anonymous text messaging program from Truth Initiative designed to help young people (13-24 years old) quit vaping. The program uses messages from real young people who have attempted to or successfully quit e-cigarettes to show the reality—good and bad—of quitting. Based on support, motivation, inspiration, and evidence-based tips, This is Quitting sends one text message per day for at least four weeks, and participants can receive instant support by texting COPE, STRESS, SLIP, or MORE. To enroll, text DITCHVAPE to 88709.
If a parent of a young person who vapes wants support, they can text QUIT to (202) 899-7550.
Adult Services
Colorado Quitline
The Colorado Quitline is a free and online quit service for Colorado residents aged 18 or older, available in several different languages. Nearly 450 people everyday contact the Quitline for proven methods to help them quit using tobacco. The Quitline will help you: prepare a quit plan and set a quit date, understand tobacco triggers and manage cravings, and navigate relapses and barriers. Eligible participants can receive a free supply of nicotine patches, gum, or lozenges to aid in their journey. Contact 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit the Colorado Quitline to enroll.
Freedom From Smoking®
Freedom From Smoking® is the American Lung Association’s adult smoking cessation program. Many adults are looking for added support and information to help them quit their tobacco use. This training is widely regarded as the “gold standard” in quit-smoking programs. Freedom From Smoking® was created by the experts at the American Lung Association, an organization with more than 50 years of experience helping smokers quit. We can help you quit, too! Contact (970) 400-2383 for more information or email us.
Pregnant/Postpartum Women
BABY & ME – Tobacco Free Program™
The BABY & ME – Tobacco Free Program™ is an evidence-based, smoking cessation program created to reduce the burden of tobacco on the pregnant and postpartum population. Pregnant women at 36 weeks gestation or less who currently use tobacco, have quit since becoming pregnant, or quit within three months of becoming pregnant are eligible to enroll. Participants receive four prenatal counseling cessation sessions and, if they test tobacco free using a carbon monoxide monitor breath test on the third and fourth sessions, participants receive vouchers for free baby diapers/wipes*. Participants can receive monthly vouchers for up to 12 months postpartum if they remain tobacco free. To enroll, contact your physician or the Weld County Tobacco Education or Prevention Program at (970) 400-2383.
*If a pregnant woman lives with someone who smokes, they can also enroll and, if successfully quits, can also get diaper vouchers.
Youth involved in the PACT (Preventing Addiction Caused by Tobacco) Youth Coalition and local artist Armando Silva in June 2017 painted a mural in Downtown Greeley. PACT hopes the mural will remind the community to protect the future of Weld County youth against tobacco and secondhand smoke by creating smoke- and vapor-free areas.
Smoke- and vapor-free areas protect youth from secondhand smoke and help youth stay tobacco free as they:
- Make tobacco use less socially acceptable
- Set a healthy example for young people
- Reduce the opportunities for young people to use tobacco products
See the mural at 8th Avenue and 7th Street in Greeley
Great American Smokeout: Third Thursday in November
The Great American Smokeout is a national day from the American Cancer Society encouraging people who smoke or vape to quit, contemplate quitting, or make a plan to quit. Quitting takes time but is worth it, no matter how much or how long you have smoked. The Tobacco Education & Prevention Program encourages you to use this day to commit to quit for at least 24 hours—and then some!
Check out this Greeley Tribune articleto see what the Tobacco Control Program did for last year’s Great American Smokeout at JBS!
Take Down Tobacco: April 1
Formerly known as “Kick Butts Day,” this national day of action is for young people to stand up and speak out against the tobacco industry by encouraging peers to reject the tobacco industry’s deceptive marketing, urging the community to stay tobacco free, and encouraging elected officials to take action in helping protect youth from tobacco. The Tobacco Education & Prevention Program does something different every year to help take down tobacco!
World No Tobacco Day: May 31
This annual day exists to inform the public on the health effects of tobacco use, the business practices of tobacco companies, and what every person can do to claim their right to or promote tobacco-free lifestyles. The Tobacco Education & Prevention Program does something different every year to recognize World No Tobacco Day!
Are you a counselor, teacher, administrator, parent, or community member in need or more tobacco-related resources to help support your school? You are in the right place. One of the Weld County Tobacco Education and Prevention Program's initiatives is helping keep schools in Weld County tobacco-free. Whether you need quit support and information, policy assistance, alternative to suspension information, or education programming, contact the WCTEPP for assistance.
Alternatives to Suspension
Are you looking for solutions to vaping-related violations in your school, but have found that suspension does not seem to help the problem? The Weld County Tobacco Education and Prevention Program believes in alternatives to out-of-school suspension to help students learn the consequences of their actions, get connected with cessation resources to help them quit, and explore why they are vaping and the reasons they should quit. The WCTEPP's Alternatives to Suspension Guide is designed for students to complete in school following vaping-related violations.
More research is showing how suspension and expulsion may be counterproductive and harmful to students, making them more likely to experience mental health challenges, use drugs and alcohol, or experience negative educational and life outcomes such as not graduating on time, increased likelihood of dropping-out, and increased likelihood of involvement with the criminal court system.
Due to the nature of nicotine-addiction, students who vape need a lot of support to quit. Counseling and education are, according to the CDC, the most effective approaches to helping youth quit tobacco use. Thus, this guide is based on principles from evidence-based cessation and education strategies to help students learn and grow!
Request the Student Workbook and Facilitator's Guide today by emailing our school specialist!
School Resource Guide
Do you know your school's tobacco policy? How much do you know about supporting young people in quitting? These are just a few questions you can explore using the WCTEPP's School Resource & Policy Guide. This guide was created for school administrators, teachers, counselors, parents, and community members who want more information and resources on how to support tobacco-free schools.
In the School Resource Guide, you will learn more about:
- The importance of policy in reducing youth smoking rates
- Colorado Tobacco-Free School law requirements
- Restorative justice principles and progressive discipline strategies
- Communicating policy and incidences
- Tobacco industry marketing strategies near schools
- Quit support for young people who wish to quit
Each school district in Weld County has its own guide. Request your district's today by emailing our policy specialist or calling (970) 400-2383.
Parent & Teacher Trainings
Trusted Adult Training
Do you want to become a Trusted Adult? This virtual workshop will help you learn how to talk with young people about vaping and about effective strategies to prevent and reduce youth nicotine use. This program is facilitated by WCTEPP staff and is ideal for schools or other youth-serving groups. For more information or to enroll, call (970) 400-2383 or email our school specialist.
Vaping 101
Are you curious to learn more about vaping, the health effects of vaping, nicotine and addiction, and how to support your child(ren) or students? Inquire about a Vaping 101 presentation from the Weld County Tobacco Education & Prevention Program! This program is ideal for schools, community groups, parents, and anyone else who wants to learn more about vaping. For more information or to set up a presentation, call (970) 400-2383 or email our school specialist.
Youth Trainings
Youth Vaping 101
Are you in need of information for youth about vaping? Our Youth Vaping 101 presentation is just what you need! This program is designed to teach young people about vaping, the history of tobacco marketing, the mental and physical health effects of vaping, nicotine, and quit resources. Presentations typically last 40 minutes and include videos and an activity. To request our staff for a presentation, email our school specialist or call (970) 400-2383.
If your school is dedicated to keeping students safe and healthy, then you may now apply for a Tobacco-Free School Designation! Supporting tobacco-free schools is hard work, which is why the Weld County Tobacco Education and Prevention Program wishes to recognize schools who are doing their part or going above and beyond in their work. Schools may display their well-earned seal on district websites, in the main office, in handbooks, and more. Earn a designation by completing the requirements of each level:
Bronze Level
- Post proper tobacco-free signage
- Offer students Vaping 101 presentations
- Offer parents and teachers Vaping 101 presentations
- Meet with WCTEPP staff once per semester for continued assistance
Silver Level
- All requirements of Bronze Level
- Trusted Adult trainings for parents and teachers
- Request and utilize School Resource & Policy Guide
- Request and utilize Alternatives to Suspension Guide
Gold Level
- All requirements of Bronze and Silver Levels
- Participate in Train-the-Trainer: Vaping 101 for Students
- Host a youth coalition
- Participate in our new mini-grant program
To inquire about requirements or apply, fill out this form!