Tobacco, nicotine, and vaping
Tobacco use is the leading cause of premature and preventable death, responsible for more than 440,000 deaths a year in the United States.
Almost 1 in 3 undergraduate students and 1 in 7 graduate and professional students at UW-Madison have used tobacco or nicotine-delivery products at least once (NCHA Survey 2021). Reducing tobacco and nicotine use on campus is a key priority for UHS as we work to evaluate University policies and programs to support a tobacco-free campus in the future. UHS also offers resources and programs to help students seeking to quit.
Ready to explore quitting options?
- Schedule a visit with UHS
608-265-5600 - Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line
800-QUIT-NOW - This is Quitting Text Line
Text DITCHVAPE to 88709
Quitting support through UHS
UHS offers free, confidential individual counseling for students who would like to assess their current use and discuss personal strategies for quitting nicotine, tobacco, and vape products.
Quitting looks different for everyone, and UHS Behavioral Health providers can help you make a plan that works for you. This can involve behavioral strategies, such as counseling, as well as nicotine replacement products (patches, lozenges, gum) and/or medication assistance.
Students can get started by scheduling an appointment in their MyUHS account or calling UHS at 608-265-5600.
UHS provides quitting support for all types of nicotine and tobacco use
Any product containing tobacco or nicotine is harmful to users’ health, whether or not it involves smoking. Vape use is particularly high among young people ages 18-24, and although some vape products do not contain tobacco or nicotine, they still present potential health risks.
UHS can help you explore quitting resources for:
- Combustible tobacco, including cigarettes, cigars, hookahs, and pipes
- Smokeless tobacco, including dip, chew, and snus
- Oral nicotine pouches, such as Zyn
- Vapes or e-cigarettes such as Breeze, Posh, Elf Bar, and Vuse that contain tobacco, nicotine, cannabis (THC, CBD), flavorings, chemicals, and other substances
Information on Nicotine, Tobacco, and Vaping
Campus Smoke-free Policy
Smoking is prohibited in all University buildings and facilities
Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention
UW-Madison program aimed at tobacco research, education, intervention, and outreach
Free Quitting Resources
Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line
UW Madison’s Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention that provides this free service to help people quit smoking, vaping, or other tobacco use. Call 800-QUIT-NOW.
Dip Free Text Line
Run by the National Cancer Institute’s smokefree.gov, this free texting program helps young adults who want to stop dip use. Text SPIT to 222888.
Spark
Program through the American Lung Association that supports tobacco-free colleges and universities in Wisconsin.
This is Quitting Text Line
This free and anonymous text messaging program from Truth Initiative is designed to help young people quit vaping. Text DITCHVAPE to 88709.
Smokefree.gov
This program through the National Cancer Institute offers information, resources, and tools for quitting.
Nicotine Anonymous
A non-profit 12-step program for people wanting to live nicotine-free.
Truth Initiative
A nonprofit with a goal of stopping tobacco use by young adults.