Tobacco Education & Prevention

TEPP uses community outreach, media campaigns, and partnerships with community organizations and health care providers to encourage tobacco users across El Paso County to quit.

TEPP promotes the Colorado QuitLine, a free telephone coaching program that provides one-on-one tobacco cessation support and tools, as well as nicotine replacement therapy to people who want to quit tobacco. Call the Colorado QuitLine at 1-800-QUIT-NOW to learn more.

There is no safe level of secondhand smoke exposure. The only way to fully protect nonsmokers from secondhand smoke is to eliminate smoking where people live, work, and play.

The Tobacco Education and Prevention Partnership (TEPP) works to decrease exposure to secondhand smoke by partnering with local housing authorities and property managers, workplaces, colleges and cities and towns in El Paso County to put in place tobacco-free policies.

Additional Resources
Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act (CCIAA)
Smoke-free Policies in Multi-Unit Housing
Smoke-Free Environments
Smoke-Free Housing Directory

Youth in El Paso County are using e-cigarettes, also known as vaping at alarming rates. Teen vaping has risen to epidemic proportions across Colorado with youth vaping at rates more than twice the national average.

The Tobacco Education and Prevention Partnership (TEPP) and its community partners are working to prevent youth from using tobacco, including e-cigarettes by:

• Partnering with local schools to educate teachers, staff and students about tobacco and strengthen tobacco-free schools policy
• Collaborating with local governments and law enforcement in El Paso County to reduce illegal tobacco sales to minors
• Creating smoke-free public spaces across El Paso County

Talking to Youth

Sometimes it may feel like youth aren’t listening to what you say but research shows adults can have a big influence on their behavior. As an adult they trust, you can impact their choices. What you say, and the example you set, make a difference. The following resources can help you start the conversation about vaping with youth in your life:

Know the Facts: Talk to Youth About Vaping
Vape: Myth vs. Facts
Tip Sheet: Talking to Youth

Helping Youth Quit

The Colorado QuitLine now serves Coloradans as young as 12 years old who wanting to quit vaping, smoking or chewing. Youth can receive free, confidential coaching at www.coquitline.org or by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

Smoke-Free Teen, a website from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also provides free quit support for youth, including texting services, a mobile app, trained coaches, and healthy tips to handle stress and social pressure.

Additional Resources

Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids
Second Chance Tobacco
Tobacco is Nasty
Enough With The Puff
My Life My Quit