Quit Smoking
Tobacco use is the number one underlying cause of preventable death in the United States. Every year, in the United States, it claims 480,000 lives. That is more deaths than HIV/AIDS, illegal drug use, alcohol use, car accidents, and suicide combined!
Quitting smoking and vaping is one of the best things you can do for your health, and there are many resources available to help you on this journey.
To quit smoking combustible cigarettes:
The California Smokers' Helpline provides free telephone counseling, 1-800-NOBUTTS (800-662-8887) and self-help materials to help with quitting.
To quit vaping:
The California Vaping Helpline provides free telephone counseling, 1-844-8-NO-VAPE (844-866-8273) and self-help materials to help with quitting.
Visit the Butte County Tobacco Cessation Resource page to locate cessation classes in Butte County.
Apps to Help You Quit Smoking & Vaping
The following are apps that can help you on your journey to stop smoking and vaping. As it can be tough to hold oneself accountable, these apps provide you with the tools necessary to track your progress, money saved, receive daily reminders and have the ability to reach out and talk with others who are also quitting smoking and vaping.
No Butts
No Butts uses proven methods to help smokers quit including a personalized quit plan and information about effective quitting aids. The app also features other useful tools like a personal log of smoking triggers, motivational reminders, and a variety of quit smoking tips.
No Vape
No Vape (1-844-8-NO-VAPE) was created by a stop vaping service and research-based program at the University of California, San Diego. Their program has been helping people with behavior change since 1992, using clinically proven methods.
Alexa
Get tips from Amazon Alexa through "Stop Smoking Coach" and "Stop Vaping Coach".
Enable the Stop Smoking and Stop Vaping skills from Amazon.com or your Alexa app.
QuitGuide
QuitGuide focuses on helping the adult population to quit smoking cigarettes. This is done through tracking mood, smoking triggers, and allowing the user to create journal entries.
QuitStart
QuitStart focuses on helping youth and young adults to quit smoking cigarettes.
It allows users to monitor progress and distract themselves with games and challenges.
This is Quitting
This is Quitting specifically targets college students through appealing social media features that include the ability to access ideas from others on the internet.
Texting Programs to Help You Quit Smoking & Vaping
California Smokers' (& Vaping) Helpline
Text messaging program is designed to give you a little extra support to quit smoking and vaping with text messages. You will receive texts each day during the first important weeks of quitting. The messages are tailored to help at critical points along the way, including useful tips for quitting and for staying quit. You can also text questions at any time and a counselor will respond within one business day.
Receive text support today:
- Text "QUIT SMOKING" to 66819
- Text "QUIT VAPING" to 66819
SmokeFree
SmokefreeTXT is a 6 to 8 week program that sends approximately 3-5 messages a day. The text messages provide tips, advice, and encouragement to help you overcome challenges and stay motivated. Text START to 47848 and/or visit the site.
For On Demand Support text a keyword to 47848:
- Text CRAVE if you need help beating a craving
- Text MOOD if you need an emotional boost
- Text SLIP if you need help getting back on track after you smoke
Approved Methods to Help You Quit Smoking
- Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT): Such as nicotine patches, gum, and lozenges provide relief of some withdrawal symptoms people experience when they quit smoking.
- Prescription Medications that contain no nicotine: Such as Chantix and Zyban are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help you quit using tobacco.
- The FDA has not approved the use of e-cigarettes as a safe or effective way to quit smoking.
There are many paths to help you quit smoking.
Choosing 2 or 3 is proven more effective to help you quit for good.
Read more about the Five Secrets for Quitting Smoking:
- It's never too late to quit
- Learn from past experiences
- You don't have to quit alone
- Medication can help if you know what to do
- Every smoker can quit