Resolve to be Smokefree in ‘23
New Year is the most popular time of the year to hit the proverbial “reset” button—an opportunity to set new goals and resolve to live a happier and healthier life.
One common resolution people make is to quit smoking. Most adults who smoke want to quit. And quitting is possible! Since 2002, there are more people who used to smoke than people who currently smoke. Quitting smoking is one of the best decisions a person who smokes can make to improve their health and to protect the health of others.
Choosing to quit smoking as a New Year’s resolution can be a challenge, but with a solid plan in place, you can make 2023 the year you’ve quit for good! There is no better time to quit than right now!
When you first make your resolution, it can be daunting. Where do you start? Like a lot of successful ventures, it starts with a plan. First, set a date. Committing to a specific date can help you prepare for what’s ahead. Tell your friends and family about your decision and ask them for their support. Throw away your cigarettes, lighters, and ash trays. Think about and plan for how you will handle the things that trigger your urge to smoke. Most importantly, make a list of all the reasons you want to quit smoking. This will come in handy when you have a craving to smoke and start to waver. Finally, explore quitting resources—many that are free—that can help you.
Quitlines provide free, confidential coaching by phone that can increase your chances of quitting successfully and staying quit. Quitlines are available throughout the United States and are available in different languages. (See Quit Smoking Resource box below.) When you call 1-800-QUIT-NOW, you can speak with a highly trained quit coach who will work with you to develop a plan that fits your needs.
Quit-smoking medications can also help you be successful. Using medicines while you are quitting can make quitting easier and help you get through the hard times. Combining medications with quit coaching can help even more. Learn more about quit-smoking medicines and the ways to use them by going to: Learn More About Quit-Smoking Medications and Five New Ways to Quit with Medicines.
The National Texting Portal connects adults living anywhere in the United States with mobile text message-based support to help them quit smoking. People who enroll in this service receive encouragement, advice, and tips for becoming smokefree. Finding help is quick and easy. To enroll, text QUITNOW to 333888 for service in English and DÉJELO YA to 333888 for service in Spanish.*
*Message and data rates may apply.
Some people may prefer to use an app to help them quit smoking. quitSTART is a free smartphone app that helps you quit smoking with tailored tips, inspiration, and challenges. It helps monitor your progress on your quit-smoking journey. It’s also a good tool to use to get you back on track if you slip up. You can also share your progress and favorite tips through social media and build your own community of support.
Beatrice R. is the mother of two boys and served in the U.S. Navy. Beatrice tried her first cigarette at age 7, her second at 11, and then began smoking menthol cigarettes regularly when she was 13. She had friends who smoked, and she wanted to be “cool” like them.
More than 25 years later, Beatrice still smoked cigarettes. Although she had tried many times before, in 2010, Beatrice quit for good because her son wrote her a letter urging her to quit. She considers quitting smoking to be one of the best things she’s ever done. She encourages anyone who wants to quit smoking to do it—and to get help if they need it.
Resources for Quitting
Web
- CDC.gov/quit (English)
- CDC.gov/consejos (Español [Spanish])
Telephone
- 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)
- 1-855-DÉJELO-YA (1-855-335-3569) (Español [Spanish])
- Asian language Quitline
- 1-800-838-8917 (中文 (Chinese) [Cantonese & Mandarin])
- 1-800-556-5564 (한국어 [Korean])
- 1-800-778-8440 (Tiếng Việt [Vietnamese])
Text-Based Messages
(Message and data rates may apply)
Smartphone Apps/Text
- SmokefreeTXT—text message-based support program
- quitSTART app—tips, information, and challenges to help you quit
