Quit Smoking in the New Year

Quit Tobacco in the New Year!

With the new year fast approaching, make a resolution for a healthier life for you and your family. If you use tobacco, quitting is the most important step you can take to protect your health and decrease the risk of lung disease, cancer, and even early death.

If you want to quit and tried in the past, don’t give up. Many smokers say quitting is the hardest thing they’ve ever done. It often takes several tries before you can quit for good. However, with planning and support, you can become tobacco free.

• Fortunately, most health insurance plans cover nicotine replacement and other quit-smoking medicines.
• The Massachusetts Smokers’ Helpline at 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669) is also available for free coaching 24 hours each days, seven days a week (except Thanksgiving and Christmas) to support you through quitting tobacco. In addition, now you can enroll online through KeepTryingMA.org. Online supports include quit planning tools, peer support and motivational text messages.
• You can get four weeks of FREE nicotine replacement help from patches, gum or lozenges at the Helpline (with medical eligibility). The combination of free coaching and cessation medication can make you three times as likely to quit for good as those who try to quit on their own!

Quitting can be hard—here are five ways to make it easier:

1. Set a quit date. Choose a quit day in the new year, give yourself about two weeks to prepare.

2. Tell your family and friends you plan to quit. Share your quit date with important people and ask for their support. Daily encouragement and planned activities can help you stay on track. For example, a smoke-free lunch date or game night could help distract you.

3. Anticipate and plan for challenges. The urge to smoke is short—usually only three to five minutes. Those moments can feel intense. Before your quit date, write down healthy ways to cope with cravings so you can get past them.

Healthy choices include:

o Drinking water

o Taking a walk or climbing the stairs

o Calling or texting a friend

4. Remove cigarettes and other tobacco from your daily routine. Throw away your cigarettes, lighters, and ashtrays. Clean your car and home. Old cigarette odors can cause cravings.

5. Talk to your doctor about quit-smoking medications. Over-the-counter or prescription medicines can help you quit for good. Your quit coach and pharmacist can also provide support.

For more information, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit: KeepTryingMA.org.

Make the choice to quit today, making the holidays and New Year tobacco free and healthier than ever.

Tina Grosowsky, Project Coordinator

Central MA Tobacco Free Community Partnership

Central MA Tobacco-Free Community Partnership supports communities’ efforts to lower smoking prevalence and exposure to secondhand smoke; enhance state and local tobacco control efforts by exposing tobacco industry tactics, mobilizing the community to support and adopt evidence-based policies, and changing social norms. Funded by the Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program, Community Partnerships serve as a resource for local coalitions, health and human service agencies, municipalities, and workplaces on tobacco intervention efforts.