Quitting smoking is a common New Year’s resolution each year—but it’s easier said than done. Six out of ten smokers require multiple quit attempts to stop smoking, but planning ahead can greatly improve a person's likelihood of quitting for good. The American Lung Association is highlighting proven tips and resources that have helped thousands of people pack in smoking permanently:
- Seek support. You don’t have to quit alone. Ask family, friends, and co-workers for their help and support. Having someone to take a walk with or just listen can give a needed boost.
- Find support online or in your community. Consider joining a stop-smoking program like Freedom From Smoking® Online (www.ffsonline.org) from the American Lung Association.
- Call the Lung HelpLine at 1-800-LUNG-USA (586-4872) to talk to an experienced cessation counselor.
- Take time to plan: Designate a day to quit on the calendar and stick to it. Avoid peak times of stress, such as the holidays, and gather in advance the tools and medications you will need.
- Exercise daily; exercise is proven to help smokers quit. Not only that, it will also combat weight gain and improve mood and energy levels. Walking is a great way to reduce the stress of quitting.
- Prioritize nutrition and sleep. Eat a balanced diet, drink lots of water, and be sure to get plenty of sleep.
- Talk to your doctor or pharmacist. They can discuss with you the various over-the-counter or prescription medications available to help you quit.
“Setting a quit date is an important step for smokers to take. The New Year provides a great opportunity, now that the stress of the holidays is over, for smokers to make a fresh and healthy start,” said Jeff Seyler, President & CEO, American Lung Association of the Northeast. “Smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and premature death but quitting without support can be next to impossible. The American Lung Association offers countless tools to help smokers quit for good. They do not have to do it alone.”
Helping Americans quit smoking remains a priority for the American Lung Association. Its Freedom From Smoking® group clinic program—which began in 1981 and includes a comprehensive variety of evidence-based cessation techniques—has helped hundreds of thousands of smokers quit. UConn Health Center, Farmington, is offering the 7-week group clinic beginning Monday, January 7, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The second 7-week session will begin Tuesday, January 22. To register, or for more information, call 800-535-6232. Participants will pay a $50 fee up front, which will be returned pending completion of the program.
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About the American Lung Association of the Northeast
The American Lung Association of the Northeast is part of the American Lung Association, the oldest voluntary health organization in the U.S. Established in 1904 to combat tuberculosis; our mission today is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. The focus is on air quality, asthma, tobacco control, and all lung disease. The American Lung Association in the Northeast serves CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI and VT. www.LungNE.org
