Like many people who smoke, you may have thought about quitting. You may have found yourself coughing more than usual or found it harder to breathe. You probably thought, “I have to stop smoking, now!” You may have even tried once or twice before—only to find yourself smoking again.
Quitting smoking is not easy, and it’s not a matter of willpower. The nicotine in tobacco is addictive, and that’s what makes quitting so hard. The good news is we know more than ever before about what works best to help people quit. A smoke-free life is possible and there has never been a better time to try quitting than right now.
Cigarette smoking remains the leading preventable cause of disease and death in the United States. An estimated 30.8 million Americans smoke cigarettes, and more than 480,000 people die from a smoking-related illness each year—meaning smoking causes about 1 in 5 deaths in the United States.
While these numbers seem daunting, there are free tools, resources, and support to help you succeed.
The Great American Smokeout is more than a reminder of the dangers smoking poses to your health. It’s a call to action. No matter your age, or how long you’ve been smoking, quitting improves health both immediately and over the long term.
FOR MORE DETAILS:
The Great American Smokeout. There has never been a better time to quit smoking. (cdc.gov)