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Tobacco Cessation:

Quitting the tobacco habit alone can be tough.   Individuals can increase their chances of quitting tobacco for good by getting individual or group education and support and Nicotine Replacement Therapy Products.  These services are offered FREE to anyone interested in quitting tobacco who lives and works in Orange County.  Space and supply is limited so call today to enroll in either the individual or group cessation program.  The services are described below along with the qualifications for participation.

To participate in either the Individual Tobacco Treatment Program or Fresh Start Group Services, you must:

  • Be 18 or Older
  • Complete intake and follow-up surveys
  • Live or Work in Orange County
  • Commit to a Quit Date
  • Attend scheduled appointments or classes
  • To register for the Individual Tobacco Treatment or Fresh Start classes please call Rita Krosner at 919-245-2480 or email smokefreeoc@orangecountync.gov

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Individual Tobacco Treatment Services – Orange County Health Department offers FREE one on one counseling and NRT products for individuals interested in quitting tobacco.  This service includes 12 weeks of FREE Nicotine Replacement Products such as patches, gum and lozenges and weekly counseling sessions to help individuals understand and manage tobacco withdrawal and dependence.  

Fresh Start Classes – Orange County Health Department offers FREE tobacco cessation group classes called Fresh Start.  This class meets 1 hour per week for 4 weeks.  Classes may be offered in person or virtually via ZOOM.  Virtual classes require a computer or smart phone.   Classes generally occur 4 times per year.  

North Carolina Quitline – North Carolina Quitline provide free cessation services to any state resident who wants help quitting tobacco and Orange County residents may be eligible for free nicotine patches, gum or lozenges through the NC Quitline.  Call 1-800-784-8669 or 1-855-335-3569.  You can also reach them by TTY at 10877-777-6543 or register online.

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Tobacco Cessation Resources and Smartphone APPS:

Youth Tobacco Program Resources

the_real_cost Opens in new windowThe Food and Drug Administration’s “The Real Cost” peer-to-peer campaigns are designed to educate at-risk youth aged 12-17 about the harms of tobacco use. The real cost campaign has expanded to educate teens on the dangers of e-cigarette use. Campaign messages focus on educating youth that using e-cigarettes, just like cigarettes, puts them at risk for addiction and other health consequences.
quitline-nc Opens in new windowQuitlineNC provides free cessation services to any North Carolina resident who needs help quitting tobacco use. Quit Coaching is available in different forms, which can be used separately or together, to help any tobacco user give up tobacco.  

Telephone Service is available 24/7 toll-free at

  • 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).
  • Interpretation services available for many languages.
  • Spanish: 1-855-Dejelo-Ya (1-855-335-3569)
  • TTY: 1-877-777-6543
rethink_vape Opens in new windowResearchers at the Eastern Virginia Medical School worked with a 30-member Teen Advisory Council, a 19-member Expert Panel and used a great deal of formative research and message testing to develop the campaign Rethink Vape. The final campaign includes video ads, a microsite (rethinkvape.org), and social media sites (@rethinkvape). Based on themes garnered in initial research, the campaign communicated three messages to teens: what’s in the vapor, health risks, and connections to big tobacco.

The ads and other materials are available to use for free. Review the content and contact Ann.Staples@dhhs.nc.gov for details.
truth Opens in new windowDedicated to defending teens from tobacco companies lies and deceptions. "truth" produces television and digital content to encourage teens to reject tobacco and to unite against the tobacco industry. Requires flash plugin.
https://www.thetruth.com/
kick_butts_day Opens in new windowKick Butts Day is a national day of activism that empowers youth to stand out, speak up and seize control against tobacco.