What are you looking for?
- Resources for those with university medical insurance
- Statewide cessation resources
- Cessation programs and nicotine replacement therapies on or near your campus
- Smartphone apps
- Student resources
- University tobacco policies
- Additional resources
Resources for those with university medical insurance
(links exit UM System site)
Smoking cessation medications
Selected smoking cessation medications are available through the UM prescription drug program with a prescription from your physician. Please log in to Express Scripts or call 800-955-1201 to determine if your smoking cessation medication is available at a $0 copay.
Nicotine replacement therapy
Replacement therapy is 100% covered by insurance for any FDA-approved tobacco cessation medications (whether prescription or over the counter). This is true for a 90-day treatment regimen when prescribed by a health care provider and filled at an in-network facility.
Quit for Life Program
The Quit for Life Program is a phone and web-based program that offers online tools and support to help members quit cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vaping, and other tobacco products. Resources include online tools and support, a 1-on-1 quit coach to help create a customized quit plan, a text support program, and nicotine replacement therapy. Quit for Life is available to UM System employees with university medical insurance through UnitedHealthcare.
Statewide cessation resources
(links exit UM System site)
MU Health Care Ellis Fischel Cancer Center Virtual Quit Classes
Ellis Fischel Cancer Center provides a free, 10-week virtual group tobacco quit class program for all Missouri residents. The program offers free nicotine replacement therapy, access to cessation coaches, assistance in developing a personalized quit plan, and peer support. Participants are welcome to attend more than one class.
Missouri Tobacco Quitline
The Missouri Tobacco Quitline offers telephone and online counseling with trained quit coaches, is free to Missouri residents ages 13 and up, and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The program also provides additional quit materials and information about local resources, as well as free nicotine replacement therapy, and includes online and text messaging components. To participate, please call 1-800-QUITNOW (800-784-8669) or visit online.
Become an Ex
This is an online tobacco cessation program supported by the Mayo Clinic and Truth Initiative. It is free to everyone and includes digital support resources like individualized quit plans, a text support program, expert advice, and an active support community of real, ex-tobacco users.
SmokeFree.gov
SmokeFree.gov offers a variety for resources for people in every stage of their quit journey, from wanting to quit to staying tobacco-free after quitting. Resources include a free texting program, personalized quit plans, access to quitting support apps, articles to help people prepare to quit, and information on using Nicotine Replacement Therapy.
This is Quitting
This is Quitting is a text-based service focused on helping youth and young adults quit tobacco, including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and vapes. The program helps with cravings, stresses, and slips, and provides both individual and community support for those looking to quit. To learn more or get started, visit online or text 'DITCHVAPE' to 88709.
Freedom from Smoking® Online
This online program is nationally supported by the American Lung Association. It provides education, stress management techniques, and group support before, during, and after your quit date. Cost is free for the standard version and $99 for the premium version, which allows access to online support groups.
Cessation programs and nicotine replacement therapies on or near your campus
(links exit UM System site)
Columbia
>>> For more programs, please see the statewide cessation resources section.
Kansas City
Lifewise EAP – especially for faculty, staff, retirees, and their dependents
The Lifewise Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers three FREE telephone counseling or coaching sessions to help you quit smoking. To participate, please call (816) 931-3073 or 1-800-327-1223, and inform the EAP staff that you work for UMKC.
KC Care Health Center
The center offers tobacco cessation information materials including packets and DVDs along with tobacco cessation medications to the Kansas City Metro Area. Tobacco cessation treatment is also offered. The cost is based on a sliding scale and is reimbursed by the patient’s insurance. To register, call (816) 753-5144.
Jackson County Health Department
The health department offers a free course for pregnant women looking to quit smoking through the Baby and Me Tobacco Free program. To register, call (816) 404-6444.
>>> For more programs, please see the statewide cessation resources section.
Rolla
Tobacco Cessation Coaching for S&T students, faculty and staff
Support could include:
- Free nicotine replacement therapy (patches, gum, or lozenges)
- One-on-one coaching and goal assessment
- Personalized quit plan and a "quit kit" to help.
For more information, contact minerwellness@mst.edu or call (573) 341-4225.
Your Community Health Center
Your Community Health Center offers patients different cessation resources, including one-on-one counseling with providers, a text messaging program, Nicotine Replacement Therapy, and support through the My Strength app (Apple App Store | Google Play Store). This is a federally qualified health center, and cost is based on a sliding scale. To get started, call (573) 426-4455 or visit online.
>>> For more programs, please see the statewide cessation resources section.
St. Louis
UMSL Wellness Resource Services
UMSL's Wellness Resource Services offers free nicotine replacement therapy patches, gum, or lozenges; free one-on-one counseling every other week for six to 10 weeks; and provides assistance in developing a personalized quit plan. For more information, please call (314) 516-5671.
St. Luke’s Hospital
St. Luke’s Hospital offers a Nicotine Anonymous Support Group every Monday (except holidays) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. To register for free, call (636) 394-2521 or (636) 532-7320. Certified Tobacco Cessation Counselors are also available by appointment for consultations for tobacco cessation. For information, fees or appointment times, call (314) 542-4888.
>>> For more programs, please see the statewide cessation resources section.
Smartphone apps
(links exit UM System site)
The following mobile apps were identified through a systematic review of tobacco cessation apps as the top evidence-based cessation apps, or through Smokefree.gov. All apps are available on both iPhone and Android.
- QuitGuide - This is a free app that helps users contemplating quitting tobacco track their tobacco usage and build the skills needed to become tobacco free. QuitGuide helps track cravings, mood, and progress, and provides motivation and tips, as well as helps users identify their reasons for quitting. This app was created by the National Cancer Institute and is aimed at tobacco users in the early stages of quitting.
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quitSTART - This is a free app that helps users quit tobacco through tailored tips, inspiration, and challenges. Resources include tips and information, progress monitoring, craving management, and the ability to share progress on social media. This app is offered through the National Cancer Institute in collaboration with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is an action-oriented app for users ready to quit tobacco.
Student resources
(links exit UM System site)
The wellness program focuses on UM faculty and staff, but there's tobacco cessation help for students, too. Student resources can be found on each of the campus pages linked below:
Mizzou: Student Health and Wellbeing
UMKC: Smoke-Free UMKC
Missouri S&T: Miner Wellness
UMSL: Kick It and Quit It
University tobacco policies
(links exit UM System site)
- Mizzou Tobacco-Free Policy
- UMKC Smoke-Free Policy
- Missouri S&T Tobacco-Free Policy (PDF)
- UMSL Smoke Free Policy
Additional resources
(links exit UM System site)
- American Cancer Society website or call 1-800-227-2345.
- American Heart Association website or call 1-800-242-8721.
- American Lung Association website or call 1-800-586-4872.
- BeTobaccoFree.gov – Provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website or call 1-800-232-4636.
Reviewed 2021-08-04
