E-cigarettes have reintroduced nicotine to generations that grew up seeing smoking as a dangerous addiction. Our community survey shows that 1 in 3 residents in Taney and Stone counties regularly use tobacco products, including vapes, cigars, cigarettes, or smokeless tobacco. This is not limited to adults; children report e-cigarettes as the most commonly used substance among youth, along with alcohol and marijuana.
Benefits of Quitting Tobacco Use
Quitting tobacco at any age has immediate and long-term health benefits:
- Within hours: Carbon dioxide levels in your blood return to normal
- After 2 weeks: Lung function improves, reducing coughing and shortness of breath
- Within 1 year: Risk of coronary heart disease drops by half compared to active tobacco users
- People who quit tobacco are more likely to succeed in quitting other substances
- Quitting supports mental health, including reduced anxiety and depression, better stress management, and improved mood
Finding Help to Quit
Data shows that 60–70% of nicotine users in these counties are trying or have recently tried to quit. Multiple programs across southwest Missouri and the U.S. offer professional guidance for tobacco cessation:
- Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services – Tobacco Prevention and Control Program (TPCP): Offers free resources and support to help residents quit tobacco
- Missouri Department of Social Services: Participants in MO HealthNet (Missouri Medicaid) may receive free nicotine replacement products, such as gum and patches. Uninsured individuals may also qualify
- The Missouri Tobacco Quitline: Offers coaching, educational materials, and quitting strategies. Call 1-800-QUITNOW or visit their website
- smokefree.gov: Provides customizable quitting plans, apps, and ongoing support to stay smoke-free
Tips for Teens
Youth often feel overlooked in quitting programs. Our Tips for Teens series helps educators and teens understand the risks of nicotine and guides them in quitting. Quitting early protects your health from long-term risks such as lung cancer, COPD, heart disease, stroke, and other cancers. Quitting also improves mental health, reduces stress, and boosts mood.
Tips for Teens: Tobacco Use (PDF) Tips for Teens: E-Cigarettes (PDF)
Teens and Tobacco: How to Quit
We’ve put together a short guide to quitting tobacco use geared towards youths. Please note that this guide is not comprehensive. If you or someone you know is trying to quit tobacco, numerous treatment programs and organizations around southwest Missouri can provide more information and active counseling to help you quit.
How to Quit Guide