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.

Tobacco use has decreased in Virginia and nationwide. Let’s keep the momentum going in 2025!  

Despite this progress, youth tobacco and nicotine use remains a major public health problem, with more than 8% of Virginia teens reporting vape use in the latest Virginia Youth Survey.  

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.  

In December 2024, Truth Initiative relaunched its smoking cessation program for young people, the EX Program, and the American Lung Association offers cessation support for all ages with its Freedom from Smoking project.  

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. More than two-thirds of Virginians are estimated to be living with overweight or obesity. At the same time, 11% of people in Virginia and about 1 in 7 Virginia kids are facing food insecurity, 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 nicotine pouches to powerful cannabis products, youth today are facing complex threats to their health. For youth-serving professionals, it can be hard to keep up.  

VFHY is here to help. We are proud to offer Dangers of Fentanyl lesson, a free resource to help keep high school students safe from the evolving dangers of fentanyl. Educators can also use our nicotine products prevention lesson to teach K-12 students about the harms of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and other products containing nicotine. These free resources were developed in collaboration with public school teachers and are in alignment with Virginia’s Standards of Learning.  

We hope you’ll join us at an Empower Series webinar or workshop in the new year! Browse all upcoming events here.