How to quit smoking once and for all
Say farewell to your cigarettes by sticking with this step-by-step plan.
Jan, 2026
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Slide 1
Quitting tobacco is one of the most important decisions a person can make. Each year, more than 480,000 people in the United States die from smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke. Another 16 million live with a smoking-related illness. By quitting, you are making the choice to live a longer, healthier life. But it’s important to be prepared.
If you’re ready to say goodbye to cigarettes, follow this plan to prepare to be smoke-free.
Written byAnn Wendling, MD, MPH.
Medically reviewed byAnn Wendling, MD, MPH.
Sources: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Smoking Cessation: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta + 2
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Smoking Cessation: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health; 2020.
- U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Want to Quit Smoking? FDA-Approved Products and FDA-Cleared Cessation Products Can Help. Content current as of July 21, 2022.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fast Facts: Smoking and Tobacco Use. Last reviewed August 22, 2022.
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