Build A Quit Kit
A Quit Kit is a toolbox of items that supports an individual’s attempt to quit smoking, vaping, or using another form of commercial tobacco. Many of these items provide an alternative or distraction from using a cigarette or vape by keeping hands or mouth busy and supporting other healthful behaviors, like drinking water. A number of Washington Breathes members and partners, like local health departments, ESDs, and local prevention coalitions, are already distributing Quit Kits in schools.
Image Source: Sarah Pruys/Cabin Radio
Quit Kits are not meant to be a stand-alone tool, but are valuable as a complement or supplement to utilizing traditional cessation support, like the Quitline, cessation counseling, or a support workshop/group. They are effective because they help individuals manage cravings, ease nicotine withdrawal, access additional support, and change behaviors.
Who Could Create a Quit Kit?
Anyone who is providing tobacco cessation support or resources could create their own quit kits to provide to their community! For example, some K-12 schools give them to students who ask for resources and call them ‘Hope Kits’ and ‘Peer Support Kits.’ Community groups, non-profits, hospitals/medical groups, and independent tobacco cessation contractors could all create quit kits to support those they serve. Feel free to make them unique to your organization or group – by changing the name or including a unique item. Depending on who you’re serving, be mindful of including an option for a quit kit that’s easier to mail (i.e. items lay flat/aren’t bulky).
Materials
First, determine if you will be distributing your Quit Kits in-person or virtually. If in-person, you could store and distribute the items in the water bottle that you provide. If virtually or sending through the mail, consider purchasing items that lay flat and packing items in a lightly padded manila envelope or a small flat-rate box.
- Support Tools
- Fidget toys (distraction): like spinners, cubes, stress balls, pop-its, and putty
- Worry stones (comfort)
- Money pouch/box: to store the money saved from not smoking (this could be virtual too - like a card suggesting to create a 'no smoking/money saved' bucket in a savings account, for example).
- Water bottle: hydration is important to help move toxins through the body. A water bottle can also be used to store all the Quit Kit items!
- Notepad and pen
- Affirmation cards
- Oral Substitutes
- Hard candies
- Ginger chews: can help with nausea
- Sugar-free gum: can help with cravings
- Flavored toothpicks: like cinnamon or mint
- Straws: keep mouth and hands busy
- Information and Resources
- State Quitline Card - call to request free wallet cards
- 2MorrowQuit App - free promotional materials are available
- Local/community-specific resources: you know your local resources best!
- Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT): providing NRT in a Quit Kit will likely be dependent on where you work, who the kit is for, and availability of funding. For example, it may be easier for a clinic to provide than an independent facilitator. It’s always advised that individuals consult with their primary care provider prior to and while using any form of NRT so that it’s used effectively. For those under 18, a doctor must prescribe the use of NRT.
- Gum
- Patch
- Lozenge
- Inhaler
- Nasal spray
Estimated Costs and Potential Vendors
Note: Washington Breathes does not specifically endorse or promote any of the products or vendors listed below. This list is provided for ideas and informational purposes only.
All prices are estimates and will vary based on time of year, amount ordered, and taxes. We based our estimates on having enough supplies to create 150 Quit Kits. For bulk orders, the price will decrease per unit when more of the item is ordered (i.e. the more ordered, the cheaper unit price).
- Water bottle (20 oz.): can personalize with your logo. For 150, would be $1.92/unit = $288.
- Stress Ball: can personalize with logo’s and order different designs. For 150 units, would be $1.42/unit = $213.
- Fidget Toy: For 150 units, would need to order 3 packs (comes in 57 pack). $9.99/pack=$29.97
- Worry Stones: For 150 units, would need to order 3 packs (comes in 48 pack). $26.99/pack=$80.97
- Notepad/pen: inspiration with quotes. For 150 units, would need to order 2 (comes in pack of 100 for both pen/notepad). $38.99/pack=$77.98
- EXTRA Sugar Free Gum, Mint Variety Pack: 18-pack box for $29.95. For 150 packs of gum, order 9 boxes. $29.95/box= $269.55
- Cinnamon Toothpicks: 6-pack box for $25.50. For 150 packs, order 25 boxes. $25.50/box=$637.50
- Ginger chews (mango): 1 lb. bag (about 100 pieces). For 150 kits, order 2-3 bags. $14.97/bag=$44.91
Total for all Supplies: $1,641.88
This comes out to about $11 per Quit Kit.
Share A Cessation Service or Resource
Use this form to let us know about a nicotine cessation service that could be listed here: