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 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.

RESOLVE TO BE SMOKE FREE IN 2023.

CDC has published a feature article encouraging people to "Be Smoke Free in 2023".

Read the article here.

The CDC TIPS Campaign celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2022.

Please visit the CDC website for more information

Youth Vaping is an epidemic in WestVirginia 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.

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.

NEW for February

THROUGH WITH CHEW WEEK is observed in the third full week in February and this year, it takes place from February 19 to 25. The goal of the campaign’s Through with the Chew Week is to raise awareness about the dangers of smokeless tobacco among the general public. Tobacco, even if it is smokeless, is still tobacco. The use of this product is not a safe alternative to smoking because it contains at least 28 cancer-causing chemicals and has the potential to induce gum disease, tooth rot, and tooth loss. Educate people around you, especially the elderly, on the dangers of smokeless tobacco. For downloadable resources for Through With Chew Week. click on the filesQUIT LINE AD-01 (1).jpg,QUIT LINE AD-02 (1).jpg, QUIT LINE AD-03 (1).jpg, and QUIT LINE AD-04 (2).jpg

Did You Know?

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States. Based on 2019 data, about 34 million US adults smoke cigarettes. Every day, about 1,600 young people under age 18 years smoke their first cigarette, and 235 begin smoking cigarettes daily. Over 16 million people live with at least one disease caused by smoking, and 58 million nonsmoking Americans are exposed to secondhand smoke.

For more information please see a CDC factsheet on Extinguishing the Tobacco Epidemic in West Virginia

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 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), smoking prevalence in WV was 25.2 percent, which is a lot higher than the national prevalence of 14.0 percent. According to the 2019 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 Vital Statistics and PRAMS data, about 30% of West Virginia (WV) mothers smoke during their pregnancy. This rate is nearly three times the national average, and is well above the Healthy People 2020 target of <1%. For more information choose the Pregnancy and Smoking tab under Cessation.

* NEW * The WV African American Tobacco Prevention Network (WVAATPN) and the Coalition for Tobacco-Free West Virginia (CTFWV) has issued a press release regarding menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. Click the link to view. Historic Move to Ban Menthol Cigarettes and Flavored Cigars.

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 please click here.

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

Events

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Tobacco Policies by County

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

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WV Tobacco Quitline

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

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350 Capitol Street | Room 514 | Charleston, WV 25301 | Phone: 304-352-6007
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