Lincoln County Health Department
 

Quitting Tobacco

It's not always easy, but it's worth it!

Tips for quitting:

• Make sure you are ready to quit. 

• Take a moment to answer these 3 questions:

  1. Do you want to stop using tobacco?
  2. Are you ready to make some changes in your daily life?
  3. Are you ready to deal with some tough moments?
  
  If you answered yes to all three you are ready!
   

• Deciding to Quit

  • Why do you use tobacco?
    The reasons for using tobacco in beginning may not be the same reasons you still use tobacco.  Some people use tobacco to feel good or to deal with stress.  Two things often people continue to use tobacco: 1.  Nicotine-a drug in tobacco that causes addition to tobacco.  2.  Being hooked on the act of smoking or chewing.
     

  • Why do you want to stop?
    Are you worried about your health?
    Are you "sick" of smoking/chewing?
    Are you worried about your children's health when you smoke around them? 
    Are you worried about your unborn baby?
    Is smoking/chewing getting expensive?
    
    Whatever the reason, the reasons that are important to you matter the most!
    
    Write your reasons down.  Now memorize the list and keep it will you.  Every time you want to smoke, look at the reasons you wanted to quit.
     

• Setting a Date and Choosing a Quit Plan

  • What is your quit date?
    Picking a quit date is an important step, and you should give yourself time to prepare for it.  Pick a date that gives you one to two weeks to get ready.  Don't pick a date too far in advance.  Too much time allows you to change your mind or think about reasons not to quit.

  Write your quit date down!

  • How do you plan to quit?
    There are various ways to quit, and no one way is the only right way. Some methods do work better than others. Here are some of the common ways to quit.

    • Use Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)

    • Use support or counseling

    • Quit "cold turkey"

    • Quit by "tapering off"

    • Use non-nicotine medications

    • Or a combination of the above

  If you would like someone to talk to call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or go to quitline.com