Today, more and more people are kicking the habit, and the quit line is here to help, connecting you with the resources you need to quit successfully. The latest research shows that calling the quit line improves the success of quitters by almost 20 percent.

The Tobacco Quit Line is confidential and toll-free. By calling the Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669), you will have access to some of the best cessation specialists in the state who can give you:

• Private counseling and continued support
• A personalized quit-plan
• Tools and skills to help you succeed
• Information about additional resources such as insurance benefits and other quitting programs in your area
• A Tobacco Quit Kit mailed to your home
• The quit line may also provide a free supply of nicotine replacement therapy, such as nicotine patches or gum, as appropriate.

Here are some practical tips that have worked for ex-smokers who understand just how hard it is to quit:

• Remember it is natural and normal to feel anxiety anytime you make a significant life change.
  
• Plan ahead for temptation. It's inevitable.
  
• Cut down on alcohol and caffeine consumption.
  
• Plan non-smoking tactics before you go to events where other people might be smoking. The quit line cessation specialists can help you devise a plan.
  
• Keep healthy substitutes handy to keep your hands and mouth busy, like carrots, raisins, gum, hard candy and lollipops.
  
• Keep your hands busy. Carry a stress ball or a doodle pad.
  
• Tell your family and friends you are quitting. Let them support you.
  
• Drink a lot of water. Carry a water bottle with you everywhere you go.
  
• Eat frequent small meals. This will stabilize your blood sugar levels and keep your mouth and hands busy.
  
• Change your typical daily routine in as many ways as possible. Take a new route to work, drink tea instead of coffee, and have lunch in the conference room rather than at your desk.
  
• Remove all evidence of smoking from your life. Clean your car interior and launder all of your clothes to remove the smell of tobacco smoke.
  
• Exercise especially when you are angry, stressed or bored.
  
• Make an appointment with the dentist to have your teeth cleaned.
  
• Be proactive about spending time with non-smokers and/or ex-smokers.
  
• Write down the reasons you are quitting and review them to serve as a reminder why you think quitting is worthwhile.
  
• Reward yourself. Plan to buy something special with all the money you save.

Tobacco Free Nurses - the first national program focused on helping nurses and student nurses to stop smoking
www.tobaccofreenurses.org/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Tobacco Information and Prevention Source
www.cdc.gov/tobacco/

Surgeon General - 'You Can Quit Smoking' Consumer Guide
www.surgeongeneral.gov/tobacco/default.htm

American Lung Association - Tobacco Control
www.lungusa.org/tobacco/

American Cancer Society - Guide to Quitting Smoking
www.cancer.org

Quitnet.com - Savings Calculator
www.quitnet.com

Smokefree.gov - Dictionary
www.smokefree.gov/dictionary.html

Quitnet.com - 'Quitticisms' (Quitting terms & phrases)
www.quitnet.com/library/quitticisms.jtml

I love helping people make that important step toward quitting. Often when people call, they tell me they want to quit but don’t think they can. After we talk and come up with strategies, I love hearing them say, “I can do this!” at the end of the call. I try to help people realize they have the strength to quit smoking and I feel honored to be a part of something that will not only improve their health, but their lives.