With the fresh-start feeling the New Year brings, there’s no better time than January 1 to establish healthy habits – or to make a major change, like committing to kicking nicotine.  

Whatever your resolution, you don’t have to do it on your own. Read on for three great resolutions, along with resources to support your journey.  

Stop smoking or vaping. The adverse health effects of smoking are well-known, but nicotine is highly addictive, and about 13% of adults and 5% of teenagers in Virginia still smoke cigarettes.  

E-cigarette use is also prevalent, especially with kids and teens – 14% of high schoolers reported using vapor products in the Virginia Youth Survey. And, contrary to popular belief, vaping poses many health risks. Research has found that e-cigarettes contain toxic chemicals, damage the lungs, and can worsen stress, anxiety, and depression.  

Quit Now Virginia offers numerous services to Virginians aged 13 and older who are ready to quit using tobacco products, including individual and group coaching sessions, nicotine replacement therapy, and text-based support. Quit Now’s hotline operates 24/7 so you can get help whenever you need it.  

Quit Now Virginia also manages Live Vape Free VA, a free service that helps teenagers quit or avoid vaping.  

Eat a healthy diet and stay active. “Get more exercise,” “eat better,” and “lose weight” are some of the most common resolutions, year after year – and it’s easy to see why. Nearly two-thirds of Virginians are classified as overweight or obese. At the same time, about 9% of people in Virginia and more than 100% of children are food insecure, meaning they may struggle to get adequate nutrition.  

The Virginia Family Nutrition Program (VFNP)’s Eat Smart, Move More initiative includes an abundance of resources to help kids and adults alike eat a balanced diet, make exercise a part of their routine, and maintain a healthy body weight. On the Eat Smart, Move More website, you’ll find information like affordable and easy healthy recipes, exercise routines that can be done anywhere with no equipment, and instructions for using nutrition benefits at farmers markets.  

Help kids and teens lead healthy lives. From flavored tobacco products to powerful synthetic drugs, youth today are facing complex, new threats to their health. For youth-serving professionals, it can be hard to keep up.  

VFHY is here to help. Educators can use our free nicotine products prevention lessons to teach K-12 students about the harms of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and other products containing nicotine. Early next year, we will release a similar lesson plan focusing on youth fentanyl use prevention. These free resources were developed in collaboration with public school teachers and are in alignment with Virginia’s Standards of Learning.  

VFHY has big plans in the works for 2024, all supporting our mission to empower Virginia’s youth to make healthy choices. Stay tuned for more resources for youth advocates and public health professionals, including new webinars and workshops every month. Plus, save the date for the 2024 Champions for Youth Summit next fall.