$1.3 Million State Grant Brings Tobacco and Vaping Cessation Services to Middlesex County

With vaping now the most commonly used tobacco product among Connecticut youth, a new state-funded program is giving residents in New Haven and Middlesex counties expanded access to support for quitting tobacco, vaping and other nicotine products.

CommuniCare, a New Haven-based behavioral health organization, has received a three-year grant of nearly $1.3 million from the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH) to launch a regional Tobacco Cessation Program providing evidence-based counseling, education and resources to help youth, teens and adults quit tobacco or vaping, without any out of pocket costs to participants.

The need for cessation services is particularly significant among Connecticut youth. According to CT DPH, electronic vapor products are the most prevalent tobacco product used by Connecticut high school students, with nearly 11.5% reporting that they had vaped in the past 30 days, compared with 3% who reported smoking cigarettes. Most vaping products deliver nicotine, which can affect the developing brain and impact behavior and learning.

Nicotine use also remains a significant concern among Connecticut adults. CT DPH reports that nearly 17% of Connecticut adults use tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, with use significantly higher among men than women.

“This grant allows us to make evidence-based tobacco and nicotine cessation services more accessible to people who want to quit but may not know where to turn or may face barriers to getting help,” says John O’Rourke, LCSW, Director at CommuniCare. “We are especially interested in reaching young people who often begin vaping because it seems harmless but ends up leading to a powerful addiction. This funding gives us an opportunity to intervene earlier and make evidence-based support available before nicotine use becomes a lifelong health issue.”

Support for Adults

Adults participating in the program can receive individual or group tobacco cessation counseling using evidence-based approaches designed to help them quit and maintain long-term recovery from nicotine dependence.

Services can include:

• Personalized quit plans
• Individual and group counseling
• Nicotine replacement therapy, when appropriate
• Education and resources
• Relapse prevention and ongoing support
• Easy access to the CT Quitline for telephonic support

Cessation Support for Youth and Teens

CommuniCare will provide tobacco and vaping cessation services for youth ages 11 to 19 using the American Lung Association's evidence-based Not on Tobacco® (N-O-T) program.

The program helps teens understand their reasons for using tobacco or vaping products, develop healthier coping strategies, build support systems and develop skills that promote long term success.

CommuniCare will also work with healthcare providers, schools, behavioral health organizations, community organizations and other regional partners to increase awareness of tobacco cessation resources and connect more people with services.

The Tobacco Cessation Program will be based in New Haven and will also offer services in CommuniCare's Middletown office and through community partners, including BHcare in North Branford and Ansonia and Bridges Healthcare in Milford.

“Our goal is to make getting help as easy as possible and to meet people where they are, whether that means connecting with a tobacco treatment specialist directly, working with a healthcare provider or accessing services through one of our community partners,” says O’Rourke.

Adults, teens and youth interested in quitting tobacco, vaping or nicotine use can learn more about the program by calling CommuniCare at 203-553-7234 or visiting communicare-ct.org/website/publish/programs/index.php?Tobacco-Cessation-for-Adults-Teens-and-Youth-10.

About CommuniCare

CommuniCare is a behavioral health care provider whose mission is to build comprehensive, coordinated and efficient integrated health services. Its programs and services include problem gambling treatment, substance use recovery, support for struggling families, individual and group clinical services and crisis support. CommuniCare has offices in New Haven and Middletown. For more information, visit www.communicare-ct.org or call 203-553-7234.