Maybe you have already
taken your last puff or are ready to quit today. That's
great. This information will help you stick to your resolve to kick the habit
for good.
It's okay if you aren't ready now. But you may
want to quit at some point. So keep learning and preparing yourself. Many
smokers do quit. You can too.
Why do you want to quit?
Think about why you want to quit. Maybe you want to protect your heart and
your health and live longer. Or maybe you want to be a good role model for your
kids or spend your money on something besides cigarettes. Your reason for
wanting to change is important. If your reason comes from you-and not someone
else-it will be easier for you to try to quit for good.
Use these
tools to find your risk of heart attack based on how much you smoke and to find
out how smoking affects your lifespan:
You don't have to quit alone.
Ask your family, friends, and doctor to help you. Quitting is hard, but it can
be done. Many people like you are able to quit for good. Knowing what helps can
make it easier.
Get ready. If you're ready to quit right
now, go ahead. Medicines and support can help you stay on track. But if you
want to plan ahead, you don't have to stop right away. Set a date to quit. Pick
a time when you won't have a lot of stress in your life. Get rid of ashtrays,
lighters, or spit cups before you quit. Don't let people smoke in your
house.
Change your routine. For example, if you
smoke after eating, take a walk instead.
Use medicine. It can help with cravings and stress and it doubles your chancesof quitting smoking.1 You can buy nicotine gum, lozenges, or patches without a
prescription. See a picture of
how to use patches to help you quit smoking. Your doctor may also prescribe
medicine, such as bupropion (Zyban) or varenicline (Chantix).
Get support. Seek help from:
The national tobacco quit line:
1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669).
Stop-smoking programs, such as the American Lung
Association's Freedom from Smoking program, or your state health department.
Doctors, nurses, or therapists for counseling.
After you quit, try not to smoke at all-not even one
puff. Prevent a slip (smoking one or two cigarettes) or relapse (returning to
regular smoking) by avoiding smoking triggers, at least at first. These
triggers can include alcohol and stress. Don't keep cigarettes in your house or
car. If you do slip or relapse, stay calm. Remind yourself that you have a
plan, and think about how hard you've worked to quit for good.
Why is it so hard to quit?
Quitting is hard because
your body is addicted to the nicotine in tobacco. Giving it up is more than
just kicking a bad habit. Your body has to stop
craving the nicotine. Nicotine gum, lozenges, patches,
and other medicines can help reduce the cravings without the harmful effects of
smoking.
You also have to change your habits. You may not even
think about smoking. You just do it. You may chew tobacco when you are
stressed. Or maybe you have a cigarette with coffee. Before you quit, think of
new ways to handle these things. For example, call a friend or practice deep
breathing when you feel stressed. Try chewing sugarless gum instead of smoking.
Go for a walk when you have a break at work. Stay around nonsmokers.
What if you feel bad when you are trying to quit?
You are likely to crave cigarettes and may feel grouchy, restless, or sad
for the first 2 to 3 days after you quit. For some people, these feelings can
last several weeks.2 It may be hard to focus on tasks.
Or you may have trouble sleeping and want to eat more. But you won't feel bad
forever, and medicine can help. Using medicines and products like nicotine gum
or patches can help with cravings and make you feel more like yourself.
Will you gain weight?
You may worry about gaining
weight when you stop smoking. Don't let this stop you. You have a lot more to
gain by quitting than a few extra pounds. You will feel better and save money.
You will also have fewer health problems.
You can take steps to
lower your chance of gaining weight:
Try to be active. Exercise can also improve
your mood.
Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and eat
fewer high-fat foods.
Try not to substitute food for cigarettes. Instead, chew on a
drinking straw or a coffee stirrer.
Don't worry about going on a diet now. It may get in the
way of your efforts to quit smoking. Think about taking medicines or using
products like nicotine gum or patches. They will help you get through the tough
times and may help you avoid putting on weight.
What if you start smoking again?
Most people quit
and restart many times (about 8 to 10 times) before they stop smoking for
good.2 If you start smoking again after you quit,
don't give up. Each time you quit, even if it is just for a short time, you get
closer to your long-term goal.
Remind yourself that by quitting
you may avoid serious health problems and live longer. Remember your reasons
for quitting. Maybe you want to protect your heart and your health and live
longer.
Each time you quit, you learn more about what helps and
what gets in the way. Think about why you started smoking again, and make plans
to succeed next time. If you tried to quit without medicines or a program,
think about trying them next time. Medicines and nicotine replacement (gum,
patches, lozenges) can double your chances of
success.1 You can do it!
Most people don't think about when
or why they smoke. They just do it. But knowing when and why you smoke can help
you choose the quitting strategy that is most likely to work. Perhaps you
smoke:
To relieve tension, especially after
arguments or during stressful times, or when you feel angry, depressed, or
upset.
To control your weight, either by keeping it down or
because you're afraid of weight gain if you quit.
For stimulation-to perk yourself up, improve your concentration, or boost
your energy when you have low energy.
Many
children and teens use cigarettes, cigars, and spit tobacco because their
friends do. Movies and TV shows can make smoking seem glamorous and attractive.
Teens, especially girls, often use smoking to try to control their
weight.
Teens may think that smoking is a way to look more mature,
independent, and self-confident to their peers. They may smoke to rebel against
their parents. If your child smokes, it might help to talk with him or her
about some of the
reasons to stop smoking. If you smoke or have quit,
talk with your teen about how hard it can be to quit after you've started
smoking.
Children and teens are more likely to smoke if their
parents smoke. And they are more likely to quit if their parents quit. For more
information and help, see:
When you're craving
tobacco, it's hard to focus on quitting. Preparing yourself before you quit can
help. Before you quit, get ready for a life without nicotine.
One Man's Story:
Planning was key to
John's success. 'The [stop-smoking] class taught me how to get ready to quit.'
-John, 39
Staying
healthy is a common reason to want to quit smoking. Or maybe you want to feel
more in control of your life, instead of feeling controlled by tobacco.
Teens may have other reasons to quit smoking.
Talk to your family and friends about quitting.
Their support might help you decide to quit.
What worries you about
smoking? Make a list. Talk about it with your doctor. You may worry about:
Health problems. Are you out of breath when
you walk up the stairs? Are
asthma symptoms getting worse? Are you coughing a lot?
Long-term health risks. Are you afraid of having a
heart attack or
stroke? How about lung disease or cancer?
Risks to others. Do you worry about family members getting lung
cancer and heart disease? Are you afraid that your children might start smoking
because you do? Are you concerned that your baby may die of
sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) if you smoke? Maybe your children have frequent ear infections or
asthma.
One Man's Story:
It was throat pain that helped
Nate give up smoking for good. Dealing with a sore throat all the time just
wasn't worth it anymore. "In the end, I made up my mind and quit."-Nate, 27
What could make you start
smoking after you stop?
Triggers could be events, places, or even people.
Alcohol and stress are major triggers for many people. You may always have a
smoke after lunch or during happy hour on Fridays. Does your best friend smoke?
You can't always avoid these challenges. But you can plan for how to deal with
them.
Possible roadblock
What you need to know
Cravings and
nicotine withdrawal.
Symptoms include: feeling grouchy or depressed and having trouble sleeping or
concentrating.
Here are some things that can
help:
Take medicine to help control the symptoms. Using
medicine can double your chances of quitting.1
If you weren't able to quit in
the past, don't lose hope. Studies show that each time you try to quit, you
will be stronger and will have learned more about what helps and what makes it
harder.
Most people try to quit many times-sometimes as many as 8
to 10 times-before they can quit for good.2
Weight gain
You may gain some weight when
you stop smoking. Don't try to avoid this by going on a strict diet at the same
time. This will make it even harder to stop smoking.
You can take
steps to lower your chance of gaining weight:
Try to be active. Exercise can also
improve your mood.
Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
and fewer high-fat foods.
Try not to substitute food for cigarettes. Instead, chew
on a drinking straw or a coffee stirrer.
Try stop-smoking
medicines. They can help you get through the worst of your cravings and may
help you avoid putting on too much weight.
Support can improve your
chances of quitting. Look for people who have stopped smoking, or seek out
those family and friends who support your goal to quit. Online and phone
support can also help:
National tobacco quit line: 1-800-QUIT
NOW (1-800-784-8669)
Stop-smoking programs, such as the American
Lung Association's Freedom from Smoking program (www.lungusa.com) or QuitNet
(www.quitnet.com)
It would be easier for you to
quit if those around you didn't smoke. If this isn't an option, talk to the
person(s) about not smoking around you. Avoid places where others are smoking
if you can.
Alcohol
Drinking alcohol can increase
your desire to smoke. Try drinking less alcohol during the first 3 weeks after
you quit.
Stress
Stress can lead to smoking.
Learn new ways of coping with stress. For suggestions, see the topic
Stress Management.
Assess your tobacco use(What is a PDF document?)
to discover your smoking triggers. For some people,
morning coffee and talking on the telephone are common smoking triggers.
Drinking coffee.
Change the way you have coffee: the place, the coffee mug, everything that you
did when you were smoking.
Talking on the telephone. Use a phone in a different room when you are at home. Have
small objects nearby to handle while you are on the phone.
Teen issues, such as fitting in
with the crowd and dealing with stress
Fresher-smelling clothes and
breath are just a few
reasons for teens to quit smoking. They may actually
improve their chances of fitting in. Also, feeling good physically may help
teens deal with stress in healthier ways than by smoking. If you are worried
about a teen who smokes, see:
Quitting smoking when you have other health problems
If you have
depression,
anxiety, or a similar problem, or if you have had an
alcohol or drug use problem, try to care for that problem before you try to
stop smoking.
Some people who have had one of these medical
problems find that the problem returns when they try to quit smoking. If you
have any of these problems, talk to your doctor before you quit smoking. After
you quit, seek help right away if you see signs that the problem is returning.
Smoking can also affect the level of certain medicines in your
blood. If you take medicines for a health problem, talk with your doctor before
you quit smoking to see whether you should change the dose of any of your
medicines.
Planning Your Strategy to Quit
When it comes to
quitting smoking, some people find it helpful to plan ahead. Others don't. Do
what works for you. If you are ready to quit right now,
see the section
Ready to Quit Today?
If you prefer to
plan ahead, start by asking yourself some questions. Are you a goal-setter? How
confident do you feel that you will succeed at giving up smoking? Asking
yourself these questions is one way to prepare yourself for quitting.
Know your reasons. Your reason for wanting to
quit is important. Maybe you want to protect your heart and your health and
live longer. Or maybe you want to spend your money on something besides
cigarettes. If your reason comes from you-and not someone else-it will be
easier for you to try to quit for good.
After you know your
reasons for wanting to quit, use the U.S. Surgeon General's five keys to
quitting: get ready, get support, learn new skills and behaviors, get and use
medicine (using medicine doubles your chances of
success1), and be prepared for relapse.
1. Get ready
Contact your doctor or local health
department to learn about medicines and to find out what kinds of help are
available in your area for people who want to quit smoking. Telephone help
lines operated by your state can also help you find information and support for
quitting smoking.
Check with your insurance provider to find out
if medicines and counseling are covered under your health plan. Your employer
may also help pay the cost of a quit-smoking program or provide help to pay for
medicines, even
over-the-counter ones.
Here are some
other ways to get ready to quit smoking:
Set your goals. To achieve a long-term goal like
quitting smoking, you may find it helpful to break the task into smaller goals.
Every time you reach a goal, you feel a sense of pride along the path to
becoming tobacco-free. Use this
personal action plan(What is a PDF document?)
to help you reach your goals.
Set your goals clearly. Write down your goals, or tell
someone what you are trying to do. Goals should include "by when" or "how long"
as well as "what." For example: "I will keep a smoking journal for 1 week,
starting tomorrow."
Set a quit date, and stick to it. This is an
important step. Choosing a good time to quit can greatly improve your chances of success. Avoid setting your
quit date on high-stress days, such as holidays.
Reward yourself
for meeting your goals. Quitting smoking is a tough process, and each small
success deserves credit. If you don't meet a goal, don't punish yourself.
Instead, hold back on a reward until you achieve your goal. For example, give
yourself something special if you succeed at stopping for longer than you have
before.
Pace yourself. You may want or need to quit slowly, over
the course of several months or a year. Set a comfortable pace. Certain
activities won't be temptation-free for many months after you
quit.
Be realistic. You may feel very excited and positive about
your plan for change. Be sure to set realistic goals-including a timeline for
quitting-that you can meet. For example, your goal could be to cut back from 20
cigarettes a day to 10.
Make some changes. Get rid of all ashtrays and
lighters after your last cigarette. Throw away pipes or cans of snuff. Also,
get rid of the smell of smoke and other reminders of smoking by cleaning your
clothes and your house, including curtains, upholstery, and walls. Don't let
people smoke in your home. Take the lighter out of your car. Try some
methods to reduce smoking before your official quit
date. Use a
smoking journal to keep track of what
triggers urge you to use tobacco. This gives you
important information on when it's toughest for you to resist.
If you have tried to quit in the past, review those past attempts. Think of the things that helped in those attempts, and
plan to use those strategies again this time. Think of things that hindered
your success, and plan ways to deal with or avoid them.
2. Get support
You will have a better chance of
quitting successfully if you have help and support from your doctor, family,
friends, and coworkers. You can also find online and phone support
(1-800-QUITNOW) along with quit-smoking programs that you can attend. All of
these can help you quit and stay tobacco-free. For more information on support,
see:
Since you won't
be smoking, decide what you are going to do instead. Make a plan to:
Identify and think about ways you can avoid
those things that make you reach for a cigarette (smoking triggers),
at least at first. Try to change your
smoking habits and rituals.
Think about situations in which you will be at greatest risk for smoking. Make
a plan for how you will deal with each situation.
Change your daily
routine. Take a different route to work, or eat a meal in a different place.
Every day, do something that you enjoy.
Cut down on stress. Calm
yourself or release tension by reading a book, taking a hot bath, or digging in
your garden. See the topic
Stress Management for ways to reduce stress in your
life.
Spend time with nonsmokers and people who have stopped
smoking.
4. Get and use medicine
The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) has approved several medicines to help people quit
smoking. You will double your chances of quitting even
if medicine is the only treatment you use to quit. Your odds get even better
when you combine medicine and other quit strategies, such as
counseling.1
You won't have to take
medicines forever-just for as long as it takes to help you quit. Your employer
or health plan may help pay the cost of a quit-smoking program or provide help
to pay for medicines. And remember that no matter how much it costs to buy
medicines to help you stop smoking, it's still less than the
cost of smoking.
Your doctor will prescribe these medicines and explain
how to use them. It is very important to take the medicines as your doctor
tells you to. Don't stop taking them too soon.
Remember, taking
medicines and using telephone or in-person counseling or a quit-smoking program
at the same time greatly increases your chances of success.
Most people are not
successful the first few times they try to quit smoking. If you start smoking
again, don't feel bad about yourself. A slip or relapse is just a sign that you
need to change your approach to quitting. Make a list of things you learned,
and think about when you want to try again, such as next week, next month, or
next spring. Or you don't have to wait. If you're still motivated to quit, you
can try again as soon as you want.
You might get some ideas for
things you can do differently by looking at the chart "Prepare for roadblocks"
in the section
Thinking About Quitting? Maybe you can try something
new next time, such as a new medicine or program. You might try combining
tools, such as counseling and medicine. Keep trying, and don't be fooled into
thinking that smoking "light" cigarettes will help. They do not make smoking
safer.
Don't give up
Quitting smoking is hard, but it
can be done. To stay motivated, keep reminding yourself why you want to quit
smoking. Make a list of your reasons to quit and the benefits you expect from
quitting. Put your list of reasons on your bedroom dresser, in your wallet, or
on the refrigerator. Review it whenever you are struggling with the quitting
process. Add to your list whenever another reason or benefit occurs to you.
If you have tried to quit smoking before, remember that most people try
to quit many times before they are successful. Don't give up.
One Woman's Story:
Nancy hit upon a key that
helped her quit for good. 'Finally what woke me up-after 3 years of failure-was
the realization of what happened when I relapsed. ... I quit drinking not
because alcohol scares me, but because when I drink, I want to smoke.'
-Nancy, 54
Congratulations! You are
taking a big step. You are ready to quit today. It's exciting. But it can also
be scary. If you're not quite ready yet, but you think
you will be soon, see the section
Thinking About Quitting?
If you've been
planning to quit, you may already know that when you stop smoking, you may not
feel so great at first. Some people feel grouchy and have headaches or
cravings. The good news is that these things are at their worst in the first 2
to 3 days after you quit, although they can last up to several weeks.2 And there are things that can help.
If you
decided to quit today but haven't planned ahead, don't
worry. Here are some things to consider to help you succeed:
Use medicine
Using nicotine replacement products
and/or medicine doubles your chancesof
quitting.1 Nicotine is addictive. When you quit
smoking, your body craves the nicotine that it was used to getting when you
smoked. But the nicotine isn't the harmful part of smoking or chewing. It's all
the other things in tobacco that are bad for you.
Support can
help you through the stress of losing this part of your life. Friends and
family can provide shoulders to lean on, and they can encourage you to stay
smoke-free. They can help distract you when you want to smoke, and they can
understand when you're a bit grouchy.
In-person, online, and phone
support can also help you succeed. Here are some ways to get support:
National tobacco quit line: 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669)
Counseling from a doctor, nurse, or therapist
Stop-smoking programs, such as the American Lung Association's
Freedom from Smoking program (www.lungusa.com) or QuitNet (www.quitnet.com). In
these programs you can:
Get help deciding which medicines may be
right for you. (QuitNet)
Use message boards, live chat, and e-mail
to talk with counselors and people who have also quit.
If you quit
today but haven't planned ahead, now is a good time to plan your quit strategy.
Plan ahead for any problems or barriers, and you can think about ways to reward
yourself for reaching specific milestones. Use this form to write out your
personal action plan.
You are taking
an important step to improve your life. Make sure that you know your reasons
for quitting smoking. The most common reason to quit is to live longer. It's a
gift you can give yourself and your family.
Dealing With Relapse
You're not alone in going back
to smoking. Most people who quit try 8 to 10 times before they quit for
good.2
Don't feel bad about yourself. A
relapse is just a sign that you need to try a different approach to quitting
smoking. If you tried to quit without medicines or a program, think about
trying them next time. Medicines and nicotine replacement (gum, patches,
lozenges) can double your chances of success.1
Think about what made you
start smoking again. Maybe you couldn't handle the cravings. Or maybe you
didn't have enough support from family or friends. Maybe something stressful
happened that triggered the urge to smoke, and then you couldn't stop.
Many of the changes you feel when
you first quit smoking don't feel good.
Nicotine withdrawal can
make you feel grouchy and nervous. You may have trouble sleeping or
concentrating. These symptoms can last for a few days to several weeks, but
they do go away, especially if you take medicine. You may struggle with
changing your
smoking habits and rituals. This is a lot to deal
with, but keep at it. You will feel better.
Your worst cravings
will probably pass in a few days. But you may keep getting cravings for months.
Most people who quit report that they later stop thinking about smoking.
After you quit, don't smoke at
all-not even one puff. Prevent a slip (smoking one or two cigarettes) or
relapse (returning to regular smoking) by avoiding smoking triggers, such as
alcohol and stress. Don't keep cigarettes in your house or car. If you do slip
or relapse, stay calm. Remind yourself that you have a plan, and think about
how hard you've worked to quit for good. For help, see:
If you're reading this, you may be
thinking about quitting smoking or making a plan to quit. Or maybe you have
already tried to quit a few times. You may also already know that smoking is
bad for your health and that quitting will reduce your risk of getting a
disease related to smoking, such as heart or lung disease. Here are the facts
about smoking and your health.
Tobacco use, especially smoking, is
the number one preventable cause of death and disease in the United
States.4 In fact, 1 of every 2 people who continue to
smoke will die early because of their smoking.
Everyone who uses tobacco would benefit from quitting. When you quit
smoking-no matter how old you are-you will decrease your risk of:
Other cancers. After you quit, your risk for developing cancers of
the voice box (larynx), mouth, throat, esophagus, intestines, bladder, kidney,
and pancreas gradually declines.
Gum disease and other dental problems.
People who smoke are twice as likely to lose teeth as people who do not
smoke.
One Woman's Story:
Nancy was working as a nurse
and was exposed to someone who had a bad case of pneumonia. As a precaution,
Nancy was checked for pneumonia. The X-ray revealed that she didn't have
pneumonia-but her lungs did show early signs of emphysema. 'It scared the
daylights out of me. ... I really made myself focus on the future of my life. I
want to be skiing when I'm 70. I don't want an oxygen tank.'-Nancy, 54
In addition to reducing your risk of diseases in the
future, you will notice some benefits right away after you stop smoking. Your
shortness of breath and asthma symptoms will likely get better within the first
2 to 4 weeks after you quit. (But don't be surprised if you cough more in the
first week after you quit, as your lungs try to clear themselves.)
Natural, low-tar, and low-nicotine "light" cigarettes are
not any safer to smoke than regular cigarettes. Do not be misled into thinking
that these products are any better for you. They are not.
Why quit using cigars, pipes, or chewing tobacco?
You can get lung cancer and cancers of the throat and mouth from using
cigars, pipes, or chewing tobacco.
Health risks related to smoking cigars or pipes. Even if you think that you don't inhale the smoke from a pipe or
cigar, you are at greater risk for disease. Quitting reduces these risks in
much the same way as in quitting cigarettes.
Health risks related to chewing tobacco. Using chewing tobacco ("chew") or
snuff ("dip" or "rub") gives you a higher risk of mouth cancer, gum disease,
and tooth loss.
For teens: Why quit now?
Avoiding diseases caused
by smoking and being in control of your life are good
reasons for teens to quit.
If you are a teen and you smoke, chew tobacco, or use snuff, you
probably already know that tobacco is bad for you. If you are like most teens,
you intend to quit at some point, but you may not feel it's very important to
quit now. But the longer you use tobacco, the greater your risk for becoming
addicted to it. After you're hooked, it's even harder to quit.
If
you are a parent who is worried about a teen who smokes, see:
This site is part of a research project funded by the National
Institutes of Health to help people quit their use of chewing tobacco or snuff.
Smokefree.gov
Smokefree.gov
Web Address:
www.smokefree.gov
This Web site was created by the Tobacco Control Research Branch of
the National Cancer Institute with important contributions from other national
agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and the American Cancer
Society. It offers an online guide to quitting smoking, including online
messaging and telephone support from the National Cancer Institute.
Tobacco Cessation Guideline
Office of the Surgeon General
Web Address:
www.surgeongeneral.gov/tobacco/default.htm
This Web site provides the U.S. Tobacco Cessation Guidelines and
many materials for the consumer who wants to quit smoking.
Tobacco Information and Prevention Source (TIPS)
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention
Web Address:
www.cdc.gov/tobacco
The Tobacco Information and Prevention Source Web site provides
access to many government resources for quitting smoking. It is provided by the
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
(NCCDPHP).
Organizations
American Cancer Society
Phone:
1-800-ACS-2345 (1-800-227-2345)
TDD:
1-866-228-4327 (toll-free)
Web Address:
www.cancer.org
The American Cancer Society conducts educational programs and
offers many services to people with cancer and to their families. Staff at the
toll-free numbers have information about services and activities in local areas
and can provide referrals to local ACS divisions.
American Lung Association
61 Broadway, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10006
Phone:
1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) 1-800-548-8252 (to speak with a lung professional) (212) 315-8700
Web Address:
www.lungusa.org
The American Lung Association, along with its medical branch, the
American Thoracic Society, provides programs of education, community service,
and advocacy. Some of the topics available include asthma, tobacco control,
emphysema, asbestos, carbon monoxide, radon, and ozone.
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
NCI Publications Office
6116 Executive Boulevard
Suite 3036A
Bethesda, MD 20892-8322
Phone:
1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday
TDD:
1-800-332-8615
E-mail:
cancergovstaff@mail.nih.gov
Web Address:
www.cancer.gov (or
https://cissecure.nci.nih.gov/livehelp/welcome.asp# for live help
online)
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is a U.S. government agency
that provides up-to-date information about the prevention, detection, and
treatment of cancer. NCI also offers supportive care to people with cancer and
to their families. NCI information is also available to doctors, nurses, and
other health professionals. NCI provides the latest information about clinical
trials. The Cancer Information Service, a service of NCI, has trained staff
members available to answer questions and send free publications.
Spanish-speaking staff members are also available.
National Network of Tobacco Cessation
Quitlines
Phone:
1-800-784-8669 or 1-800-QUITNOW
The toll-free number is a single access point to the National
Network of Tobacco Cessation Quitlines. Callers are automatically routed to a
state-run quitline, if one exists in their area. If there is no state-run
quitline, callers are routed to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) quitline,
where they may receive help with quitting smoking, informational materials, and
referrals to other resources.
Stead LF, et al. (2008). Nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (1).
American Cancer Society (2008). Prevention and Early Detection: Guide to Quitting Smoking.
Atlanta: American Cancer Society. Available online:
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_10_13X_Guide_for_Quitting_Smoking.asp?sitearea=&level=.
Sunday SR, Folan P (2004). Smoking in adolescence:
What a clinician can do to help. In VC Reichert et al., eds, Medical Clinics of North America, 88(6): 1495-1515.
Philadelphia: Saunders.
Fiore MC, et al. (2000). Clinical Practice Guideline: Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence. Rockville, MD:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Also available online:
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/tobacco/treating_tobacco_use.pdf.
Other Works Consulted
West R (2004). ABC of smoking cessation: Assessment
of dependence and motivation to stop smoking. BMJ, 328
(7435): 338-339.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
Stead LF, et al. (2008). Nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (1).
American Cancer Society (2008). Prevention and Early Detection: Guide to Quitting Smoking.
Atlanta: American Cancer Society. Available online:
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_10_13X_Guide_for_Quitting_Smoking.asp?sitearea=&level=.
Sunday SR, Folan P (2004). Smoking in adolescence:
What a clinician can do to help. In VC Reichert et al., eds, Medical Clinics of North America, 88(6): 1495-1515.
Philadelphia: Saunders.
Fiore MC, et al. (2000). Clinical Practice Guideline: Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence. Rockville, MD:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Also available online:
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/tobacco/treating_tobacco_use.pdf.
