Populations of Focus

What the Research Shows:

According to the 2021 BRFSS, 22% of Vermonters with depression smoked. Individuals with mental health or substance misuse disorders are often overlooked for quit support, in part because smoking is accepted as a crutch or coping tool.

Smoking and tobacco use actually acts as a trigger for continuing or relapsing in use of other substances. Studies show that there are considerable benefits to treating tobacco addiction at the same time as mental health and substance misuse disorders.

What We’re Doing:

To promote wellness and reduce tobacco-related illness in behavioral health and substance misuse disorder facilities, we are working with many groups to increase screening, treatment and cessation of tobacco use by clients.

Current efforts include:

1. Convening a workgroup of granted partners and others that will meet quarterly to discuss updates, progress and shared goals
2. Communicating on the need to reduce tobacco-associated health inequities experienced by Vermonters with mental health and substance misuse disorders
3. Collecting and using data to monitor progress and share results
4. Collaborating with the Health Department Division of Substance Use offering alcohol and drug support services through VT Helplink. 

The Tobacco Burden of Indigenous Peoples:

In Vermont, smoking rates among Indigenous Peoples are high in the state at 28%. Additionally, data in the Vermont State Health Assessment 2018 show that this population of Vermonters has the highest percentage rate of adults who report poor physical and mental health.
 

What We’re Doing:

The Health Department is committed to building and maintaining partnerships and policies that support the health and wellness of Vermont’s Abenaki and Wabanaki people, and all other Indigenous Peoples who are a part of our state.

This is done through the following efforts:

• Providing culturally sensitive, tailored commercial tobacco cessation support through the American Indian Commercial Tobacco Program
• Awarding grant funding to the Abenaki Circle of Courage to support education and treatment of commercial tobacco
• Collaboration with the Agency of Human Services and Abenaki Equity Workgroup
• Participation in education and training to adopt the knowledge and tools needed to maintain an equitable relationship with all Indigenous People in Vermont
• Ensuring this group receives equitable access to (and education about) health services
• Promoting community events and resources that celebrate and acknowledge the struggles of Indigenous People
• Honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day each October 

The Tobacco Burden of LGBTQ+ Vermonters:

While smoking rates have decreased among the LGBTQ+ community, use of e-cigarettes has been on the rise in recent years, with those who identify as LGBTQ+ being twice as likely to use e-cigarettes than non-LGBTQ adults.

What We’re Doing:

To help Vermonters who identify as LGBTQ+ reduce and quit using tobacco, we have partnered with the Pride Center of Vermont, Outright Vermont and the LGBTQ HealthLink to raise awareness through the following efforts:

• Walking in the Pride Parade to show support for this population of Vermonters
• Creating an LGBTQ+ quit group that provides peer support with a trained Pride Center staff person
• Working with Outright Vermont to provide trainings to peers, allies and communities 

What the Research Shows:

In 2021, 26% of adult Vermonters who live below the 250% of the federal poverty level currently smoke cigarettes. This is over three times the rate of those with higher income. Evidence shows that the desire to quit smoking among those of lower income is strong, help is needed to succeed.

Adult Vermonters insured by Medicaid smoke at nearly three times the rate (28%) of those with private health insurance (10%).

What We’re Doing:

802Quits offers cash-value gift card rewards—up to $150—to encourage quit attempts among Vermont Medicaid members. And, in partnership with the Department of Vermont Health Access, we are working to connect Medicaid-insured adults with health care professionals who can increase the quit support they receive. This is done through the Medicaid Tobacco Benefit and Promotion Initiative, goaled to:

1. Identify and address barriers to using quit services, like 802Quits and professional counseling
2. Promote the state’s quit services to community and clinical providers working with this population

What the Research Shows:

Although smoking rates among pregnant Vermonters has decreased in recent years, 9% of adults smoked cigarettes during pregnancy, twice the U.S. rate of 5%.

Pregnant Vermonters are more likely to quit tobacco when they are 1) educated on the dangers of smoking or vaping and secondhand exposure to chemicals while pregnant and 2) receive personalized coaching and rewards to quit.

What We’re Doing:

Vermont’s Quitline (1-800-QUIT-NOW) offers special support and rewards to pregnant Vermonters via:

1. A special non-judgmental phone-based program to support new and expecting mothers through quitting cigarettes, e-cigarettes or other tobacco products
2. Text messaging support
3. A customized quit plan
4. Free medication with a doctor’s prescription
5. A $20 or $30 gift card for each completed call with a trained coach (up to $250 in rewards)

The Tobacco Burden of People with Disabilities:

Vermonters with disabilities use tobacco at a higher rate than other groups and are less likely to be successful at quitting. In 2021, 28% of adults with a disability currently smoked cigarettes, double the rate of those who do not have a disability.

What We’re Doing:

Current efforts include:

1. We are collaborating with Vermont’s Department of Aging, Disabilities and Independent Living, (DAIL), to promote tobacco-related policies that reduce exposure to secondhand smoke and triggers to smoke.
2. A member of our program also sits on a national workgroup, run by the North American Quitline Consortium, to discuss and improve the accessibility of quitlines.

The Tobacco Burden of Youth and Young Adults:

Vermont youth and young adults are particularly at risk for using tobacco and nicotine, especially e-cigarettes or vapes. Ninety-one percent of youth who currently smoke cigarettes also vape. In 2021,16% of young adults currently use e-cigarettes, three times the statewide rate of 5%. 

What We’re Doing:

CounterBalance: Our CounterBalance initiative sheds light on the tobacco and vaping industry’s negative influence on youth. Its goals include:

• Raising awareness of the harms of vaping on adolescent brain development, mood, learning and attention to reduce youth tobacco use
• Educating state leaders and policy makers on the number and placement of tobacco licenses in communities
• Exposing the tobacco industry’s strategies that make smoking and vaping attractive to young people, including media and local store advertising, price discounts, flavored products and selling close to schools

Unhyped: Our Unhyped campaign educates youth on the dangers of vaping any substance and the potential for nicotine addiction.

My Life My Quit: We also offer cessation support through My Life My Quit. This free and confidential texting program, developed by a leading respiratory hospital, helps young Vermonters ages 12-17 quit all forms of tobacco use, particularly smoking or vaping. Text Start My Quit to 36072 or visit the website to chat with a trained coach.

802Quits: Young adults can access an evidence-based interactive online program with online chat to develop a quit plan by visiting 802Quits. Text START to 36072 or enroll online to connect with the quit support you want.