Young people are using TikTok and online communities to quit vaping nicotine

TikTok has dominated the social media world for the past few years, pushing creative boundaries, spreading good vibes, and entertaining us in those idle moments at the grocery store checkout. But beyond hot takes and get ready with me videos, the social media platform is also bringing millions of young people together to help them quit smoking for good.

An entire area of ​​TikTok is currently dedicated to helping young people quit nicotine addiction. Scores of influencers and ordinary people from around the world are posting about their real-life experiences with quitting, inspiring others who are thinking about quitting smoking and supporting those already on the quit journey to stick with it.

If you consider that more than 2.5 million middle and high school students(opens in a new tab) Since the US health authority CDC reported on the current e-cigarette consumption in 2022, this is good news. A truth initiative(opens in a new tab) The survey also found that more than half of middle and high school students who have used e-cigarettes want to quit. Anyone who has ever been addicted to nicotine knows firsthand that quitting smoking can be difficult, and this is precisely why young people are flocking to TikTok and other peer-to-peer digital communities to seek help.

TikTok is spreading the #quittingvaping vibe

on tik tok, @Marissaarivv(opens in a new tab), @kelly.lately(opens in a new tab)And @eli(opens in a new tab) are just some of the young people who openly tell their stories about quitting and all the ups and downs that come with it. tiktoks #quitvaping(opens in a new tab) Hashtag has over 806 million views and tags like #stop vaping(opens in a new tab) And #quit nicotine(opens in a new tab) have tens of millions more views. Millions of people use the hashtags and TikTok algorithm to find others like them who want to quit nicotine and they share their real stories and advice.

The tobacco industry would like you to believe that smoking nicotine can relieve feelings of stress, but it really is the opposite could be the case(opens in a new tab). Studies have shown that Vaping nicotine can increase feelings of depression and anxiety(opens in a new tab) and increase stress levels, clearly emphasizing the importance of online support.

The truth is to help young people quit vaping via SMS

This is quitting(opens in a new tab) out of Truth(opens in a new tab) is a free and anonymous SMS e-cigarette cessation program helping hundreds of thousands of young people, including TikToks @eli(opens in a new tab), stop and keep calm. This is Quitting was specially developed for teenagers and young adults and has already been used by more than 600,000 young people. It is a non-judgmental way for young e-cigarette users to give and receive advice, motivation and support to each other during the cessation phase. A Randomized Clinical Trial(opens in a new tab) found that young adults ages 18 to 24 who used This is Quitting were almost 40 percent more likely to quit smoking compared to a control group, which is impressive. It is easy and free join(opens in a new tab)just text DITCHVAPE to 88709.

Posting online (and just lurking for it) can help you quit and keep smoking

We get it — quitting is hard, and the idea of ​​speaking publicly about quitting can seem like a nightmare. But the support of others does proven(opens in a new tab) to help those who want to quit smoking to start and stick with quitting vaping (or quitting smoking or nicotine chewing). And the good news is, support can come from anywhere — friends, family, co-workers, teachers, coaches… or even complete strangers on TikTok.

Supporting others — including those who comment or like your quitting social media posts — can help you feel less lonely and give you peace of mind when quitting becomes difficult. studies(opens in a new tab) have even shown that just reading what others have posted in online communities can lead to better quitting outcomes. By reading what others are saying, you can reassure yourself that you’re not alone in quitting and get tips on how to deal with cravings or difficult times.

Along with This is quitting(opens in a new tab) out of Truth, young people on TikTok and other online communities share their real stories of quitting smoking and inspire others to do the same. All you have to do is search for the hashtag and you will see that you are not alone in quitting.