Quit smoking to start your year off right.
Every January 1, people all over the world make New Year's resolutions, according to the Centers for Disease Control. If you're one of the nearly 7 in 10 U.S. smokers who want to quit, why not make a resolution to get started? Smoking is still the number one cause of preventable death and disease in the United States. Quitting now can cut your risk for diseases caused by smoking and leave you feeling stronger and healthier.
Tiffany, a former cigarette smoker, was 16 when her mother—also a smoker—died of lung cancer. Despite her loss, Tiffany started smoking. She finally decided to quit when her daughter Jaelin turned 16 because she could not bear the thought of missing out on any part of Jaelin's life, like her own mother did. Her effort to quit began with setting a specific date to quit smoking and reaching out to family and friends for support. In the video "Tiffany's Decision" from CDC's Tips From Former Smokers (Tips) campaign, she talks about the "aha" moment that sent her on a different, healthier path for her own life.
Most smokers who want to quit try several times before they quit for good. The most important thing is to never give up. There is help available for you to reach your goal of quitting smoking once and for all.
Free, Effective Resources
The California Smokers' Helpline offers a variety of free quit smoking resources in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese, proven to double a smokers chance of successfully quitting:
- Telephone Counseling. One on one support over the phone from a trained, caring counseler who will help you make a quit plan, send you free materials, or refer you to other resources in your area. To get started now, call 1-800-NO-BUTTS (1-800-662-8887) or register online.
- Texting Program. This free 24/7 texting program sends encouragement, advice, and tips to help you quit smoking for good. Register online to get started.
- Online Help. A wealth of online tips and resources for quitting smoking are available in English, Spanish, and Asian languages (Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese).
Quitting Aids
Because cigarettes contain nicotine, a powerfully addictive drug, when you first quit, your body may feel uncomfortable until it adjusts. This is known as withdrawal, and there are quitting aids that can help lessen this feeling and the urge to smoke.
Studies show that smokers who use quitting aids to help control cravings, along with coaching from a quitline, in a group, or from a counselor, are much more likely to succeed than those who go it alone.
Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider before using any quitting aids if you:
- Are pregnant or nursing
- Have a serious medical condition
- Are currently using other medications
- Are younger than 18
For More Information
Visit our website or download one of our free fact sheets.
As the start of a new year approaches, isn't now the perfect time to quit smoking? Start off 2016 by taking control of your smoking. Use the free resources available to you and make a plan to quit for good. Even if you don't smoke yourself, you can share the information here to help a friend or family member become smokefree in 2016!
