More than 70% of U.S. smokers say they want to quit, but only between 4% and 7% succeed if they try it without help. Quitting smoking can be tough, but here are some ways you can double your chances of quitting and staying quit. To boost your odds of quitting smoking for good, consider these options.

Think about using medicines to help you quit

Research has shown that using a quit-smoking medicine can double your chances of success. These drugs include bupropion (Zyban^®), varenicline (Chantix^®), and nicotine replacement in the form of a patch, gum, nasal spray, inhaler, or lozenge.

• Bupropion is a prescription drug that helps reduce cravings. It has no nicotine.

• Varenicline is a prescription drug that helps lessen nicotine withdrawal symptoms. It also has no nicotine. It lowers the feelings of pleasure people get from smoking.

• Nicotine replacement products such as the patch, gum, lozenge, inhaler, or nasal spray do have nicotine. They can help you deal with unpleasant physical withdrawal symptoms. This gives you the chance to focus on changing your smoking habit or routine.

Depending on your smoking habits and other attempts to quit, your doctor may recommend using one or more of these medicines. Each product has its own pros and cons, and people may find that one works better for them than another. Talk to your doctor or health care provider about setting up a plan that will work for you.

Find out about support programs near you

The American Cancer Society can tell you about quit-smoking resources near you. These may include classes, support groups, Internet resources, or referrals to get help paying for medicine. It is important to have support from many different sources when trying to quit. You will want your family, friends, doctors, and stop-smoking professionals to know about and support your efforts. Check the "Additional resources" section and call your American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 for more information.

Use telephone counseling programs

As of 2009, all 50 states and the District of Columbia offer some type of free phone-based quit program that links callers with trained counselors. You can get quitting strategies and support over the phone, at times that work well for you. Telephone counseling programs have been proven to double your chances of quitting for good.

Get self-help materials to plan and get through the quitting process

There are materials you can use to help you quit smoking, no matter where you are in the process. You can use the materials to learn how to prepare for your quit attempt, to set up plans to help deal with cravings, and to help keep you from going back to tobacco once you have quit. The self-help materials offer proven methods that are easy to follow and can keep your motivation high. The American Cancer Society's Break Away From the Pack series has been shown to double your chances of quitting and staying quit. These materials are available to anyone trying to quit smoking. For more information on Break Away From the Pack or other self-help materials from the American Cancer Society, call 1-800-227-2345.

For more details about any of these medicines and methods, see our Guide to Quitting Smoking, or give us a call.

General tips for quitting

Here are some tips to help you quit:

• If you plan on using medicines, talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about which ones may be right for you.

• Write down your reasons for wanting to quit. Keep the list with you to read when you need a reminder.

• Throw away all of your cigarettes, lighters, and ashtrays.

• Think of all the things you usually do while you smoke. Then come up with other habits or activities you can do instead.

• Set a quit date and plan ahead to help deal with cravings.

• Tell your family, friends, and co-workers about your plans to quit.

• Have other things to put in your mouth rather than cigarettes, such as peppermints, carrot sticks, toothpicks, or cinnamon sticks.

• Stay busy.

• Think ahead, and avoid situations that trigger an urge to smoke.

• Call your American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 for more information, ideas, and resources.

Additional Resources

More information from your American Cancer Society

We have selected some related information that may also be helpful for you. These materials may be viewed on our Web site or ordered from our toll-free number.

• Child and Teen Tobacco Use

• Cigar Smoking (also available in Spanish)

• Cigarette Smoking (also available in Spanish)

• Guide to Quitting Smoking (also available in Spanish)

• Helping a Smoker Quit: Do's and Don'ts

• Questions about Smoking, Tobacco, and Health (also available in Spanish)

• Quitting Smoking -- Help for Cravings and Tough Situations (also available in Spanish)

• Smokeless Tobacco and How to Quit

• Women and Smoking (also available in Spanish)

National organizations and Web sites*

If you want to quit smoking and need help, contact the American Cancer Society or one of the following organizations for information and support:

American Heart Association & American Stroke Association
Toll-free number: 1-800-242-8721 (1-800-AHA-USA-1)
Web site: www.americanheart.org
Toll-free number: 1-888-478-7653 (1-888-4-STROKE)
Web site: www.strokeassocation.org
Quitting tips and advice can be found at everydaychoices.org or by calling 1-866-399-6789

American Lung Association
Toll-free number: 1-800-548-8252
Web site: www.lungusa.org
Printed quit materials are available, some in Spanish. Also offers the tobacco cessation program "Freedom from Smoking Online" at www.ffsonline.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Office on Smoking and Health
Toll-free number: 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO)
Web site: www.cdc.gov/tobacco
Free quit support line: 1-800-784-8669 (1-800-QUIT-NOW)
TTY: 1-800-332-8615

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Telephone: 202-272-0167
Web site: www.epa.gov
Has advice on how to protect children from secondhand smoke, a Smoke-free Homes Pledge, and other tobacco-related materials on the direct Web site, www.epa.gov/smokefree, or at 1-866-766-5337 (1-866-SMOKE-FREE)

National Cancer Institute
Toll-free number: 1-800-422-6237 (1-800-4-CANCER)
Web site: www.cancer.gov
Toll-free tobacco line: 1-877-448-7848
Tobacco quit line: 1-800-784-8669 (1-800-QUITNOW)
Direct tobacco Web site: www.smokefree.gov
Quitting information, cessation guide, and counseling is offered, as well as information on state telephone-based quit programs

Nicotine Anonymous
Toll-free number: 1-877-879-6422
Web site: www.nicotine-anonymous.org
For free information, meeting schedules, printed materials, or information on how to start a group in your area

QuitNet
Web site: www.quitnet.com
Offers free, cutting edge, effective tobacco cessation services to people worldwide

*Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement by the American Cancer Society.

No matter who you are, we can help. Contact us anytime, day or night, for information and support. Call us at 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

References

Diefenbacher LJ, Smith PO, Nashelsky J. What is the most effective nicotine replacement therapy? J Fam Pract. 2003;52:492–494.

Evins AE, Cather C, Culhane MA, et al. A 12-week double-blind, placebo-controlled study of bupropion SR added to high-dose dual nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation or reduction in schizophrenia. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2007;27:380–386.

Fiore MC, Bailey WC, Cohen SJ, et al. Treating tobacco use and dependence. Clinical practice guideline. Rockville, MD: US Department of Health and Human Services. Public Health Service. June 2000. Accessed at www.surgeongeneral.gov/tobacco/treating_tobacco_use.pdf on September 18, 2009.

Fiore MC, Jaén CR, Baker TB, et al. Treating tobacco use and dependence: 2008 update. Clinical practice guideline. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service; 2008. Accessed at www.surgeongeneral.gov/tobacco/treating_tobacco_use08.pdf on September 18, 2009.

Hughes, JR. New treatments for smoking cessation. CA: Cancer J Clin. 2000;50:143–151.

Jamerson BD, Nides M, Jorenby DE, et al. Late term smoking cessation despite initial failure: an evaluation of bupropion sustained release, nicotine patch, combination therapy, and placebo. Clin Ther. 2001;23:744–752.

Manufacturer's Product Information. Accessed at www.pfizer.com/pfizer/download/uspi_chantix.pdf on September 18, 2009.

Rabius V, McAlister AL, Telch M, et al. Evaluation of the American Cancer Society's Smokers' Quitline. Presented at the 129th Meeting of the American Public Health Association, Atlanta, Ga. October 2001.

Silagy C, Lancaster T, Stead L, Mant D, Fowler G. Nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2002;CD000146.

Zhu SH, Anderson CM, Tedeschi GJ, et al. Evidence of real-world effectiveness of a telephone Quitline for smokers. New Engl J Med. 2002;347:1087–1093.

Last Medical Review: 10/07/2009
Last Revised: 10/07/2009