'DropTheVape' texting program in New York offers free help to overcome nicotine addiction

‘DropTheVape’ provides skill-building especially geared toward young people; program now administered by New York State Quitline on behalf of NYSDOH's tobacco control program 

New York State Quitline Press Release

The New York State Department of Health's tobacco control program, together with the New York State Quitline (NYS Quitline), announces the offering of a texting program called “DropTheVape” as a confidential and free skill-building tool to overcome nicotine addiction. Program information and registration are available at www.DropTheVape.org.

For more than a decade, e-cigarette use, or "vaping," continues to be a popular trend in tobacco product use, especially among young people and young adults. Much like commercial combustible cigarettes, these products carry both mental and physical health risks and are difficult to quit.

"E-cigarettes often contain dangerously high levels of nicotine, fueling the next generation of people who smoke," New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "DropTheVape gives New Yorkers a free resource to overcome nicotine addiction and protect their health." 

Clinicians and researchers at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, the NYS Quitline's physical location, tailored the text messages in DropTheVape particularly for young people and young adults; however, the program can conveniently help people of all ages overcome a variety of tobacco products. Upon registering for texts, program participants will receive daily messages over the course of six weeks, with interactive skill-building for managing stress, handling cravings and maintaining confidence in social situations.

Dr. Christine Sheffer, a professor in Roswell Park's department of health behavior, and director of Roswell Park's tobacco treatment specialist training program, led the program's development. She and her team gained additional insight from Dr. Sherecce Fields of Texas A&M University, a leading expert on adolescent psychology and addictive behaviors.

"DropTheVape adds to the Quitline's many tools to help people overcome nicotine addiction, including our Learn2QuitNY and Vivir sin tabaco es vida texting programs, online chat and medication ordering system, and our time-honored coaching via phone," said Dr. Andrew Hyland, director of the NYS Quitline and chair of health behavior at Roswell Park. "We know that everyone quits tobacco products differently. DropTheVape is another option especially tailored to assist people in overcoming newer forms of tobacco products."

The New York State Department of Health initially launched a vaping-specific texting program for youth and young adults through a national vendor in early 2020, just weeks prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Operations transitioned to in-state expertise at Roswell Park in early 2025. For the public launch, a wider variety of promotional print and digital materials are available to order or download online. The NYS Quitline additionally offers sample newsletter text and presentations. DropTheVape organizers hope these various formats will help reach those who most need support, and encourage locations such as high schools, colleges, sports leagues and youth centers to spread the word.

"Texting is the language of younger people, and it’s comfortable and familiar to them," said Dr. Rachel Boykan, a clinical professor of pediatrics at Stony Brook University's Renaissance School of Medicine and a member of the NYS Quitline's health care professional task force. "Students want to be helped and want to quit vaping. We cannot punish them for addiction; we must help them learn how to quit. A program like DropTheVape is a perfect way to engage schools and other organizations in a way that won’t cost them anything more. It's a further win when guidance counselors, school nurses and others refer young people who need help to a trusted service like the New York State Quitline." 

In addition to using the DropTheVape texting program, anyone seeking assistance to overcome the use of tobacco products may contact the NYS Quitline by calling 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487). They can also visit nysmokefree.com to reach a specialist through an online chat, request a call-back or order free nicotine replacement therapy medications. The NYS Quitline's broader free text-support program, which focuses primarily on overcoming commercial combustible tobacco products such as cigarettes, is available by texting QUITNOW (English) or DÉJELO YA NY (Spanish) to 333888.