WV Division of Tobacco Prevention
Quit Now Barn
WV Division of Tobacco Prevention

About Us

The West Virginia Division of Tobacco Prevention (WVDTP) is the lead state agency for comprehensive tobacco prevention, cessation, and control. The WVDTP saves lives and money by preventing and reducing tobacco use in West Virginia - the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States.

The WV Division of Tobacco Prevention has compiled a comprehensive five year strategic plan addressing tobacco prevention and cessation in West Virginia.  To view this report click here:  WV Tobacco Use Reduction Plan

Through with Chew Week is a national, week-long tobacco-free event, dedicated to stopping the use of smokeless tobacco. It takes place each year during the 3rd full week of February (Feb 19-23, 2024). See the page on the Cessation tab of this website for more information.


The Division of Tobacco Prevention (DTP) works with local coalitions, community agencies, and state and national partners to implement and evaluate effective tobacco prevention and cessation activities that strive to:

  • eliminate secondhand tobacco smoke
  • promote quitting among adults and youth,
  • prevent youth tobacco use initiation, including vaping and other electronic delivery devices
  • identify and eliminate disparities among populations.
Tips From Former Smokers - Meet the Participants

For more information on the TIPS campaign click here
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Youth Vaping is an epidemic in West Virginia and across the US.   Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are also known as “e-cigarettes,” “e-cigs,” “vapes,” or “vape pens.” They use a nicotine liquid, also called e-liquid or e-juice, or fluid-filled pods. Many are fruit or candy flavored. E-cigarettes were developed as a safer alternative to combustible cigarettes, but they have quickly become an on-ramp for nicotine addiction for young people. The CDC has warned that e-cigarettes are not safe for youth, young adults, pregnant women, or non-smoking adults.

The American Lung Association in collaboration with the Division of Tobacco Prevention offers information on West Virginia’s Comprehensive Approach to Ending the Youth Vaping Epidemic.  To view please click here.

Catch My Breath  is a peer-led teaching approach that empowers students with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions about e-cigarettes and resist social pressures to vape. Informed by tobacco prevention researchers and practitioners, years of real world implementation, and a youth advisory board, it is the only school-based vaping prevention program proven to reduce the likelihood of vaping among youth.




Did You Know?

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States. An estimated 28.3 million U.S. adults smoke cigarettes, and about 2.80 million U.S. middle and high school students use at least one tobacco product, including e-cigarettes.

 

West Virginia (WV) continually ranks among the top three states in the US, (WV, Kentucky, Louisiana) with the highest tobacco use prevalence rate. According to the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), smoking prevalence in WV was 21 percent, which is higher than the national prevalence of 14.0 percent. According to the 20 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), 14.4 percent of WV’s youth are current smokers. This figure is higher than the national average of 6.0 percent.

Pregnant smokers- ​​West Virginia has the highest proportion of pregnant smokers in the nation. According to America's Health Rankings, 18.2% of West Virginia (WV) mothers smoke during their pregnancy. .  For more information choose the Pregnancy and Smoking tab under Cessation.​

Governor's Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Task Force

The Task Force was created by House Bill 4494 during the WV Legislature's 2020 regular session.

The West Virginia Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Task Force is created for the purpose of recommending and monitoring the establishment and management of programs  that are found to be effective in the reduction of tobacco, tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, and vapor products use by all state citizens, with a strong focus on the prevention of  children and young adults use of tobacco, tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, and  vapor products. Review HB4494 here.

Working diligently for several months the Task Force members have produced a report that outlines programmatic  and funding recommendations for tobacco prevention and cessation in West Virginia.
Representatives from the Task Force presented the report to members of the WV Legislature's Finance Committee in early December 2021. To view the final Task Force Report pleaseFinal Report- Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Task Force.pdf


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Events

MAY
19
No Menthol Sunday
The Center for Black Health & Equity's No Menthol ...read more

MAY
31
World No Tobacco Day
This yearly celebration informs the public on the ...read more

See All Events

Tobacco Policies by County

Use the county search below to find tobacco policies in your county.



WV Tobacco Quitline

QUITLINE Logo

WV Tobacco Quitline is a free or low cost process for tobacco users who want to stop. Participants have four calls with a coach to assist the quitting process, and unlimited reactive coaching calls. Participants also receive an eight-week supply of nicotine patches, lozenges, or gum...click here to read more

 

Get in Touch

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  • Coalition for a Tobacco Free West Virginia
  • CDC Tobacco Free
  • WV Tobacco Cessation Quitline
  • Raze Youth Tobacco Prevention Program
Contact Us
350 Capitol Street
Room 514
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: 304-352-6007
350 Capitol Street | Room 514 | Charleston, WV 25301 | Phone: 304-352-6007
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