From Rachel Pugmire, St. Luke’s Tobacco Treatment Clinics

If you’re like most smokers, you want to quit. But it’s hard, right? Nicotine is incredibly addictive, and many people who’ve quit tobacco say it’s the hardest thing they’ve ever done. Most, however, will likely say it’s the most important thing they’ve ever done.

It might give you hope and encouragement to know that most people try several times before they quit for good. So remember that every time you try to quit, you’re closer to succeeding.

Today more tools and programs are available than ever before to help you quit, so you don’t have to go through this alone. Talk to your doctor about a referral to a tobacco treatment program, and ask for help and support from your family and friends. You can never have too many people on your side.

It won’t be easy, but you can do it. Millions of people have quit tobacco, and you can too. It’s never too late to quit!

How quitting improves your life

When you quit smoking, you will:

• Cut your risk of dying from a heart attack in half
• Greatly reduce your risk of lung cancer and stroke
• Have a healthy pregnancy and baby
• Add 5-10 years to your life
• Feel better about yourself
• Breathe better and feel healthier overall
• Feel more in control of your life (no more cravings in the middle of the night)
• Enjoy the tastes and smells of food
• Protect your family from secondhand smoke
• Save money

Check out these quitting resources:

• Talk to your doctor about a referral to St. Luke’s Tobacco Treatment Clinic
• Call the QuitLine at 1-800-Quit-Now (1-800-784-8669) and receive private counseling, support, and advice on quitting.
• Visit Quitnow.net/Idaho, Project Filter’s web-based quit program.