If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact the Military Crisis Line at 988 and press 1, or Text 838255. You can also call 911.
People have lots of questions about tobacco products, like how does smoking affect your health, what are the best ways to quit vaping and how can you keep young people in your life from using tobacco products? The internet can be a great place to find answers to these questions. However, not all information on the internet is accurate.
When you’re looking for information about tobacco products online, some good questions to ask yourself are:
Who is sharing this information?
What is their motivation for sharing that information? For example, researchers often share results of scientific studies online and discuss their findings. However, people manufacturing tobacco products also start conversations on social media, which can influence what is said.
Where is the information being shared?
Not all websites are created equally. Information found on government (.gov or .mil) or university (.edu) websites has been reviewed by experts. While many .org websites belong to reputable organizations, not all are created equally, as some may have biases or lack expert review. Be cautious with information shared on social media or product manufacturer websites, as it may not be scientifically validated. Always verify sources before trusting health-related claims.
How current is the information you are seeing?
New information comes out every day. Do you know if the website you’re looking at is sharing the most recent evidence, or is it sharing older information that suits their motives?
Is this information accurate?
Is the website communicating facts or opinions? Did the authors share their sources of information? Have you found more than one source of information saying the same thing?
If you’re searching for information about tobacco products that has been carefully reviewed by experts, government websites are a great place to look. Here are some to get you started.
Support for Military Personnel & Families | Military OneSource is a DoD supported service offering 24/7 confidential support and are specialized in helping military members, families and veterans. Services are provided CONUS and OCONUS via call-in, live chat and text on their website and mobile app.
You may also call the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free and confidential treatment referral and information service (provided in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders and is available 24.
The CDC has a website filled with science-backed information about who is using tobacco products, the health risks of those products and how to quit.
The FDA maintains a website which provides information about tobacco products and the dangers they pose to the public, especially youth.
Offers information about tobacco, nicotine and vaping as well as links to findings from research studies funded by NIDA.
You can also look at the information and resources right here on the YCQ2 website. It has science-backed information about the health risks of tobacco products, the benefits of quitting, and how to plan for your tobacco-free life.
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