Nicotine and Tobacco

On September 1, 2019, the State of Vermont raised the minimum legal age for possession, purchase, and use of tobacco products to 21 years old. This extends to the Middlebury College campus and includes tobacco products, substitutes, paraphernalia, and nicotine delivery systems—including electronic cigarettes.

Please note: When we reference tobacco, we are referring to commercial, for-profit tobacco produced for recreational and habitual use, and not the sacred and traditional tobacco used for ceremonial or medicinal purposes by some communities.

Middlebury College supports this legislation for a number of reasons. The younger people are, the more likely they are to become addicted to nicotine; moreover, 99 percent of tobacco users start smoking before the age of 26 according to the U.S. Surgeon General. It can take a nicotine dependent adult an average of 12 attempts to successfully quit electronic or traditional cigarettes.

Programs

Students can sign up for any of the offerings below any time and also may be sanctioned to attend by a conduct officer. To request a different program for yourself, your hall, organization, or team, please contact Anna Hand, Alcohol and Other Drug and Harm Reduction Education Specialist.

• 802Quits is a program in the State of Vermont that provides free information, support, and guidance over the phone, online, and in person, including free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (patches, gum, etc).
• BASICS (Balancing Alcohol and Substances for Improved College Success)
  BASICS is an evidence-based intervention program that typically runs over the course of one to three 45-60 minute in-person sessions where participants are provided a nonjudgmental confidential space to talk openly about their relationship to substances. BASICS explores patterns of use, provides education about risk reduction if a participant chooses to engage in further use, and gives participants opportunities to make plans for how they want substances to play a role in their lives. Depending on the need of the participant, substances discussed include alcohol, cannabis, nicotine, psychedelics, and others. At the completion of the first session of BASICS, the participant and Health Educator will arrange follow up meetings as necessary, usually within 5-10 days of the first session. Sign up.
• My Story (A Brief AOD Intervention)
  My Story is a brief intervention that consists of several confidential individual 60-minute sessions over the course of a few weeks with a Health Educator from Health and Wellness Education to explore one’s personal relationship with substance use, get individualized feedback, and learn about support services. This program follows an evidence-based curriculum that gives participants structured time for verbal and written reflection, and is appropriate for discussion about all substances including the use of alcohol, cannabis, nicotine, psychedelics, opioids, and more. At the completion of the first session, the participant and Health Educator will arrange follow-up meetings spaced out over the next month.Sign up.

Harm Reduction

Before engaging in substance use of any kind, consider the following:

• Medical conditions that carry elevated risk
• Medications that may cause dangerous interactions
• The safety of the environment (e.g. calm, familiar setting)
• Communication with trusted friends and/or family members
• Emergency plans in the event of an incident

Resources and Support

Note: this list is not a full list of resources available.

• Make an appointment. Talk to a health educator on campus by visiting our Make an Appointment page or by emailing Health and Wellness Education..
• Visit community resources. The Turning Point Center of Addison County is conveniently located within Middlebury. VT Helplink is a state-level alcohol and drug support center.
• Contact a national resource center. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers a National Helpline (1-800-662-4357).