SmokeFree 60+

Use these quizzes to find out how strong your nicotine addiction is or if you have signs of depression. Knowing this information can help you find the support and tools you need to quit successfully and take care of yourself.

Call a Smoking Quitline Quitlines are free, anonymous telephone counseling services. These programs have helped more than 3 million smokers. When you call a quitline, you talk to a trained counselor. Together, you can make a strategy for quitting, or you can ask for tips to help you stay on track. …

Why should you quit now? The cost of smoking adds up quickly. If you smoke a pack a day, you’re spending at least $45 per week. Check out our savings calculator to find out how much you could save if you quit today. These amounts are based on a 2018 national average …

There are so many great reasons to stop smoking. Think about the ways smoking affects you and your loved ones, and discover the benefits of quitting. Remind yourself of these reasons when you need some extra motivation.

Medications can make it easier to quit smoking by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Many former smokers find that using these medications for a couple of months helped them quit. But they are just one type of tool, not a magic bullet. Follow instructions carefully to get the most benefit. What medications and …

You Can Recover from a Slip If you do go back to smoking, you are not a failure. Don’t toss aside your attempt as worthless. Use it to try and succeed. Think of your quit attempt as a learning experience, and if you do slip, try again. Here are a few …

  James Why I Quit I got divorced about 15 years ago and started smoking. It felt good to go out to the bar and blow off steam. Soon I was up to a pack a day. My friend asked me if I would ever consider quitting. At first, I …

Reasons Preventing You From Quitting The reasons that prevent smokers from quitting are often similar. Are any of these worries standing in your way? Smoking relaxes me. Why are you tense to start with? Is it because you are low on nicotine? A lot of what you think is relaxation is …

If your loved one isn’t ready to quit, that’s okay. Your loved one needs to make his or her own decision about quitting. Share the information on the Not Yet Ready to Quit page with your loved one and let him or her know you will support them. If your loved …

What is withdrawal? Sometimes people who at first quit successfully will give in and smoke within a week or two—because of withdrawal and cravings that are too intense to resist. Remember, withdrawal and intense cravings to smoke will go away! To keep the upper hand, know what to expect and …

What is nicotine? Nicotine is an addictive, fast-acting drug found in cigarettes. It affects your heart rate, blood pressure, brain chemistry, and mood. When you stop smoking, you experience cravings because your body is used to having a certain amount of nicotine each day. Is nicotine really that addictive? Yes. …

Stay Positive Negative thinking can lower your confidence and get in your way. You should be on guard against four common situations where you are vulnerable to negative thinking. Dealing with a crisis. Smoking will not help you deal with a crisis or feel better. Cigarettes are not a solution to …

Weight Gain There are many reasons why people gain weight when they quit. Here are some of the reasons: Smoking lowers your appetite. Smoking increases your metabolism. Eating can be a substitute for smoking. Eating may soothe the feelings that smoking used to soothe. The good news is that you …

Talk to Your Friends and Family People who get support from family and friends have an easier time stopping smoking and staying smokefree. Sources of support for you could be: Your spouse or significant other Your children or grandchildren Other close family members Friends Co-workers Friends who are former smokers …

Health Benefits of Exercising No matter how old you are, regular physical activity can help you look younger and stay more fit than people who aren’t active. Regular exercise can also be good medicine in your fight to stay off cigarettes. You will sleep better, be less likely to gain …

Symptoms of Depression Common signs of depression include: An “empty” feeling, ongoing sadness, and anxiety Tiredness, lack of energy Loss of interest or pleasure in everyday activities Sleep problems, including trouble getting to sleep, very early morning waking, and sleeping too much Eating more or less than usual Crying too …

There are ways to make quitting easier. Learn about different quitting resources and how to use them—like a tool to build your own quit plan or information on quit smoking medications. Try a smartphone app or text message program that provides on-demand 24/7 help. Keep trying different tools until you …

It’s never too late to quit. Before your quit day, think about why you want to quit and prepare for the challenges you might face, like withdrawal and cravings. And take some time to make a quit plan that will help you identify tips, strategies, and support resources to help …

Quitting can be easier when you’re taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional health. Get tips on starting an exercise routine, making healthier food choices, staying smokefree away from home, and recognizing the signs of depression.

Getting support is an important part of quitting. Talk or chat online with a trained quit smoking counselor to ask questions and get information to help you quit. Reach out to your friends and family about how they can support you during your quit.

What will you gain by quitting? Whether it’s feeling healthier or taking back control, there are many great reasons to quit.

Understand what nicotine withdrawal feels like and get ideas for easing symptoms.

Understand why cigarettes and other tobacco products are addictive and harmful to your health.

Use the experiences, tips, and advice from former smokers to help you build your quit plan.

Some situations make staying smokefree hard. Use these tips to stay on track no matter what happens.