Nicotine Coaching
Nicotine is a highly addictive chemical compound that is found in tobacco plants. Many products contain nicotine, including cigarettes, vapes, cigars, chewing tobacco, wet and dry snuff, nicotine pouches (like Zyn), pipe tobacco and more. Because of its addictive properties, nicotine can be difficult to quit. However, there are a number of resources available that can help.
Whether you’re thinking about quitting, cutting back or just learning more, there are tools and people on campus ready to help, including Health Promotion’s Nicotine Coaching program.
Thinking About Quitting or Changing Your Nicotine Use?
People choose to quit, reduce or change their nicotine use for lots of reasons—health, money, relationships or just wanting to feel more in control. If you’re curious about how nicotine fits into your life right now, consider taking the Nicotine Personalized Feedback Index. This is a short survey that helps you reflect on your nicotine use, with the goal of reducing unwanted experiences and increasing positive outcomes.
When it comes to quitting, there may be no “right” reason or timeline. What matters is finding support that works for you.
Tips that can help:
- Make a plan. Setting goals and thinking through challenges ahead of time can boost your chances of success.
- Manage stress differently. Deep breathing, movement, music or activities you enjoy can help reduce urges.
- Use nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Options like patches, gum or lozenges can ease withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
- Get support. People are most successful when they combine quit aids with coaching or counseling.
- Ride out cravings. Most cravings only last 1–5 minutes. A quick distraction—like a game, fidget or text to a friend—can help them pass.
Reasons to Connect with Nicotine Coaching
Free nicotine coaching is open to students, faculty and staff, and offers one-on-one support that’s personalized and non-judgmental.
Coaching can help you:
- Set a quit or cut-back date (if and when you’re ready)
- Decide whether to use a quit aid or nicotine replacement
- Identify triggers and build strategies to handle cravings
- Stay motivated and adjust your plan over time
You don’t have to be “ready to quit” to get started—coaching meets you where you are.
Additional Support and Resources
Breathe Easy Quit Kit
Stop by the Health Promotion office on the third floor of Wardenburg to pick up a free Breathe Easy quit kit. Each kit includes:
- Fidgets, toothpicks and candy for habit replacement
- Tips and resources to support quitting or cutting back
- Tools to help manage cravings day to day
The Colorado QuitLine offers free phone and texting support for those looking to quit nicotine.
- Call: 1-800-QUIT-NOW
- Text: DITCHVAPE to 88709
Tobacco use remains the number one preventable cause of death and disease in Boulder County. Learn more about tobacco use, prevention and ways to quit.
Smoke Free is an online resource that can help those who want to quit, recently quit or want to stay nicotine-free.
Support Apps
Some students find apps helpful for tracking progress, managing cravings or staying motivated. Data collection varies by app.
EasyQuit helps you quit smoking, track your progress and earn motivational badges.
Quit Genius provides free, confidential, virtual addiction treatment solutions for tobacco, alcohol and opioids.
Kwit can help you combat the side effects of stopping nicotine, track your progress, tackle cravings and more.
Quit Tracker helps you monitor money saved, cigarettes avoided and your smoke-free progress.
quitSTART can help you quit smoking with tailored tips, inspiration and challenges.
WHO Quit was developed by the World Health Organization to support quitting with evidence-based strategies.