Resolution To Quit Tobacco

Ah ... the new year has begun and so have the New Year's resolutions. What are you taking on this year? Getting a better grasp on your finances? Losing weight? Traveling more? Quitting smoking or vaping? Well, let us give you resources so you can be successful in your resolutions that involve your health. 

If you're using or addicted to tobacco in any form, please know you can quit, even if you've tried and failed. Quitting tobacco is hard and more often than not, requires more than one quit attempt, so try again and learn from the past. As part of your journey to quit, connect with why you want to quit by developing a list of as many reasons as possible to do so and keep them handy to refer to when you’re struggling. These include:

• Your health
• The health of others
• Financial reasons (the financial benefits of quitting begin right away and build). Calculate how much you could save.

Did you know tobacco use remains the number one cause of preventable death in the United States and beyond our borders? Really, it isn't just smoking tobacco though; it includes all forms of tobacco such as:

• Vaping and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarette)
• Chew and dip
• Hookah
• Snus
• Cigars
• Pipes (additive-free tobacco)
• Spitless and dissolvable tobaccos

Treatment and Support

Treatment and support have had great results. Some options include:

• Nicotine replacement therapy (e.g., gum, lozenge, nasal spray)
• Medication (e.g., Chantix, Wellbutrin)
• Mindfulness
• Talk therapy or the use of telephone quit lines
• Nicotine Anonymous (Nic-A)

Growing Concerns for E-cigarettes

Electronic cigarettes are popular. There are growing concerns for safety and health around using them, including the risk of fire and explosion. There are significant calls to Poison Control Centers for nicotine exposure and overdose; many of these include cases involving small children. These risks are so great that some industries are calling for increased training for providers on nicotine exposure and overdoses. 

There is some growing evidence that ingredients in e-cigarettes or e-juice are just as harmful as tobacco, as well as helping to get youth and others addicted to tobacco.

Quit Smoking for Good

The good news is that more and more people want to quit and want to quit safely. Tips to help you quit can be found here: 

Make Smoking History 

Great American Smokeout 

"Your success and happiness lie in you." -Helen Keller