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Organizations Serving Military Members and Veterans

Know the Facts

Military personnel and their family members who smoke cigarettes or use other tobacco products need support to quit. Studies indicate that military members are more likely to smoke cigarettes than civilians. Smoking is even more common for military members who have been deployed.

Smoking increases the risk for lung cancer, heart disease, chronic bronchitis, and many other diseases. Now is the time to promote smoking cessation to military members. You can help military members and veterans by showing them how smoking affects them and other groups in their communities. With the support of free federal materials, you can help more military members and veterans live tobacco-free lives!

Organizations that provide services to military members and their families may need to tailor their resources to help them quit smoking. Learn more about smoking cessation resources for military members and veterans at Smokefree.gov/veterans, as well as the additional resources below.

Learn About Tips™ Resources to Help Military Members Quit Smoking

Visit the “I'm Ready to Quit!” page, which features a Quit Guide and additional free quitting tools.

Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) to speak with a trained cessation coach who can answer questions, help smokers develop a quit plan, and provide support throughout the quit journey.

Active duty military members, veterans, and their families can access cessation counseling, cessation medicines, quitlines, and other services through their TRICARE coverage and Department of Defense programs.

  • Tricare:
    • Tobacco Cessation
      TRICARE is dedicated to helping users quit tobacco and live a healthier life!
  • Department of Defense-sponsored Web site:
    The following resources offer free help for those of you who are on active duty or who are retired:
  • Army Public Health Center:
    • Tobacco-Free Living Toolkit
      Tobacco-free living benefits soldiers by giving them an opportunity to maintain a healthier lifestyle, decrease the health risks associated with tobacco use, and make them better able to perform their mission.
  • Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center:
    • Tobacco Free Living
      The Health Promotion and Wellness department offers effective cessation resources to help tobacco users learn about the harmful effects of tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure and to win the battle against tobacco use.
  • Air Force Health.mil:
    • Tobacco-free Living
      For information on the health risks of tobacco use and resources on how to stop using it or avoid starting, please visit our related links.
  • Coast Guard:
    • Office of Work-Life
      • Tobacco Cessation Program
        Members are encouraged to utilize the services available at WWW.UCANQUIT2.ORG, a free online resource for the U.S. Military sponsored by the Department of Defense. You can also call the American Cancer Society Quit line at 1-800-QUIT NOW or 1-800-784-8669.
    • Coast Guard Academy

Read About Military Members and Veterans Who Quit Smoking

Learn the real stories of military service members and veterans featured in the Tips campaign who are suffering from smoking-related diseases and disabilities. Encourage members of your community to start a conversation about their stories and encourage them to quit smoking for good.

BrianMeet Brian. Brian, age 60, was a heavy smoker for more than 35 years. He had his first heart attack at age 35 while he was stationed in England. An Air Force veteran, Brian experienced several heart problems throughout his military career.

JamesMeet James. James, age 48, lives in New York and began smoking at age 14. He quit smoking in 2010 to reduce his risk for health problems and now bikes 10 miles every day.

MarkMeet Mark. Mark, age 47, lives in California and started smoking as a teenager. He continued smoking during military service in the Persian Gulf and in civilian life until he developed rectal cancer at age 42.

MichaelMeet Michael. Michael, age 57, lives in Alaska and began smoking at age 9. At 44, he was diagnosed with COPD — chronic obstructive pulmonary disease — which makes it harder and harder to breathe and can cause death.

NathanMeet Nathan. Nathan lived in Idaho. A member of the Oglala Sioux tribe, he was exposed to secondhand smoke at work that caused permanent lung damage and triggered asthma attacks so severe he had to leave his job. His illness led to his death on October 17, 2013. He was 54.

RooseveltMeet Roosevelt. Roosevelt, age 51, lives in Virginia and began smoking in his teens. At age 45, he had a heart attack. Doctors later placed stents in his heart and performed six bypasses.

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