Planning to Quit Smoking
You may have been thinking about quitting smoking. Or your healthcare provider may
have told you that you need to quit. Only you can decide if and when you are ready
to quit. Quitting is hard to do. It's not unusual to try a number of times before
you completely stop. But don't get discouraged. The benefits will be worth it.
When you decide to quit, come up with a plan that’s right for you. Discuss your plan
with your healthcare provider. And make sure you talk about medicines that can help
you quit.
Support to quit
First, pick a quit date within the next 2 weeks. Use the time to make a plan and arrange
for support, such as:
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Support groups and counselors. Smoking-cessation groups can be very helpful. Group members can support each other
both during and outside of group meetings. Counseling, even by phone, is also effective
for some people. Ask your healthcare provider, local hospital, or public health department
about available programs. Or call your state quitline at 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669).
Also look for programs online such as smokefree.gov and BeTobaccoFree.gov. .
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Family and friends. Tell your family and friends about your quit date and ask for their support. If they
smoke, arrange to see them in smoke-free places. Don’t allow smoking in your home
or car.
Smoking-cessation medicines
There are several medicines that can help you quit smoking. Some contain nicotine
and some don't. And some are prescription while others are not. They can help control
the desire to smoke and the uncomfortable symptoms people have when they try to quit.
Others slowly lessen the level of nicotine in the body. It is the nicotine that makes
it hard to quit. Your healthcare provider and pharmacist can tell you about all the
choices available.
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Prescription medicines. Bupropion, varenicline, and nicotine nasal spray or inhaler.
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Nicotine replacement therapy. Gum, inhaler, lozenge, and patch.
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My Plan
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My quit date is: ___________________________
Friends and family who will support me are: ________________________________________________
If I want to smoke, I will: _______________________________________________________
I will remove tobacco products/not smoke on: _____________________________________________
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