Today is The Great American Smokeout, a day when all smokers are encouraged to abstain from cigarettes for 24 hours. Millions of Americans are participating, and it’s simple for you to participate, too. All you have to do is not smoke during the 24 hours of the Smokeout. This helps you understand that you can indeed quit smoking for a day—and help you learn that you’re not alone in your quest to stop smoking. The Great American Smokeout may even help jump-start your efforts to permanently quit smoking—but even if it doesn’t, you’ll at least have experienced quitting for a day.
If you are interested in quitting smoking—whether for a day or permanently–below is a comprehensive list of resources that includes written information about tobacco cessation, online resources for help, smartphone apps, how to obtain individualized counseling, in-depth information about smoking cessation medications, and more.
Your employer
Your employer may be a great resource to help you quit smoking. Many employers offer tobacco cessation programs as part of the employee benefits package. One such program is Health Advocate’s Tobacco Cessation program. This 13-week program provides employees with unlimited one-on-one support from trained specialists. Check with your employer to find out if they offer Health Advocate’s Tobacco Cessation program or any other smoking cessation initiatives. Also, ask your employer if they subsidize nicotine replacement therapies like nicotine gum or the nicotine patch (if they don’t, check online–you may be able to find coupons to use on these products).
Your doctor
Mention to your doctor that you’re interested in quitting smoking. Your doctor can provide you with recommendations and resources that can help you quit.
Cancer.org
Click here for a ton of really cool resources, including a cigarette cost calculator (you may be shocked at how much money you’re spending on cigarettes over time), “desktop helpers” that can help you plan your quit day and deal with cravings, and more.
National Cancer Institute resources:
NCI Smoking Quitline at 1–877–44U–QUIT (1–877–448–7848) provides individualized counseling, printed information, and referrals to other sources.
View this NCI fact sheet, “Where To Get Help When You Decide To Quit Smoking”: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/tobacco/help-quitting
http://www.smokefree.gov/ is a Web site created by NCI’s Tobacco Control Research Branch; check out their Step-by-Step Quit Guide.
Get the Smokefree QuitGuide app for your smartphone: http://www.smokefree.gov/apps/
American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org/Healthy/StayAwayfromTobacco/GuidetoQuittingSmoking/index
Their website includes a guide to quitting smoking.
You can also call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345.
American Heart Association
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/QuitSmoking/Quit-Smoking_UCM_001085_SubHomePage.jsp
1-800-AHA-USA1
BecomeAnEX.org
http://www.becomeanex.org/
This website features a free, online plan to help you quit smoking.
American Lung Association
http://www.lungusa.org/
1-800-LUNG-USA
Other resources:
“Help for Smokers and Other Tobacco Users” is a free booklet created by the US Department of Health and Human Services packed with tips on how to quit:
http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/tobacco/helpsmokers.htm
“FDA 101: Smoking Cessation Products” is an article put out by the Food and Drug Administration that discusses the variety of approved products, both over-the-counter and prescription, that can help you quit smoking.
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm198176.htm
