It’s still early in the new year, which means it’s a great time to start creating some new, healthy habits. Quitting tobacco is one of the best things you can do for your health. Some benefits happen quickly, such as your blood pressure improving, and other benefits occur over time, such as lowering your risk for lung cancer, your teeth and nails being whiter, and more.
Quitting tobacco may seem like a daunting goal, especially if you have been smoking for a long time. Luckily, you don’t have to go through the quitting process alone. There are many free and low-cost resources that can help you quit. Check out our comprehensive list of resources, including written information about quitting tobacco, 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 free tobacco cessation programs as part of the employee benefits package. Talk to your benefits or human resources team to find out what’s offered at your workplace. 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
For more help finding free and/or low-cost resources, read the Healthcare Survival Guide!
