星空传媒

How To Quit Smoking

You might want to quit smoking to set a good example for your children.

You might want to save money. Or keep your home, clothes, car鈥攁nd breath鈥攕moke-free.

There are many good reasons to 鈥渒ick the habit.鈥�

The best reason of all? Better health for your entire body, not just your lungs.

The reports that you reduce your risk of developing several cancers when you quit smoking.

These cancers include:

• acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
• bladder
• cervix
• colon and rectum
• esophagus
• kidney
• liver
• lung
• mouth
• pancreas
• stomach
• throat
• voice box (larynx)

If you鈥檙e pregnant, the best time to stop smoking is today.

It can be very hard鈥攂ut it鈥檚 one of the most important things you can do to help your baby to be healthy, before and after they鈥檙e born.

Ready to start quitting?

Take it one step at a time. Just remember the word "START."

S = Set a 鈥渜uit smoking鈥� date

Give yourself another week or so to smoke, but no more than two weeks. Circle your quit date on your calendar or put reminders in your phone. It鈥檚 official: Soon, you are going to be smoke-free!

T = Tell loved ones

Let your family, friends and others know. Include coworkers, neighbors, and anyone who will encourage you. Ask them to help you to keep going when the cravings hit, especially during the first few weeks.

Tell them what to say to you so they don鈥檛 accidentally 鈥渟ay the wrong thing.鈥� Others want to help you. Let them help!

A = Anticipate cravings

Plan ahead for withdrawal, bad moods, and strong urges to smoke.

Remember, the first 12 weeks are the hardest. Certain times of day will be especially tough. Eating meals, watching TV, waiting for the bus, driving home from work鈥攁ll of these can be triggers for having a cigarette. Plan ahead for ways to keep yourself from lighting up.

R = Remove cigarettes from your house

Get tobacco products out of your house, car, purse, locker, and desk. Same goes for ashtrays, lighters, and anything else that you reach for when smoking.

T = Talk to your doctor

Did you know there is medication to help you quit smoking? If you take this medication and work with a health counselor, you have a high chance of success.

Talk to your doctor about quitting before you stop. You need to start certain medications while you are still smoking.

Follow these steps even if you start smoking again. Many people have to 鈥渟tart quitting鈥� a second or third time.

Don鈥檛 give up. It鈥檚 hard to stop smoking, but it鈥檚 worth it.

Ready to take the first step? PCHP can help.

PCHP鈥檚 Behavioral 星空传媒 team is here to help members manage their mental health and substance use disorders. You do not need a referral from your regular doctor.

STAR: 1-888-672-2277 

CHIP/CHIP Perinate: 1-888-814-2352 

If you are having a mental health crisis, please call our Behavioral 星空传媒 Crisis Line at 1-844-603-1134 (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). For emergencies, call 9-1-1.

Another great resource to help you as you begin your quitting journey can be found .