Most people who use tobacco hope to quit either now or in the future. In 2022, more than two-thirds of people who smoked cigarettes (67.7%) said they wanted to quit smoking. Over half of people who smoked said they had tried to quit smoking in the past year (53.3%). However, less than one in ten people who tried to quit smoking did so successfully.

It’s discouraging when you try to quit tobacco, and it doesn’t work out. However, that’s also a normal part of the quitting process. Most people who smoke must make several attempts to quit before it sticks. However, each time you try to quit tobacco, you learn something new about what works well for you or challenges that can make it harder to quit. This helps you plan for next time.

The good news is that the benefits of quitting tobacco aren’t out of reach! By trying again, you can quit tobacco and:

• Improve your health and fitness.
• Save money.
• Have more time for friends and family.
• Get clearer skin and protect your smile.
• Prevent long-term harm to your body caused by the chemicals in tobacco.

Additionally, there are steps you can take to make your next quit attempt more likely to be your last.

• Make a quit plan that details how you will deal with cravings and navigate tough situations.
• Talk to your healthcare provider about medications that could help you quit.
• Use nicotine replacement therapy products like patches and gum to help manage cravings.
• Find a network of people who will support you while you quit.
• Build healthy habits and reward yourself for milestones in quitting tobacco.

If you are ready to start living tobacco free and want some support to try again, there are many resources available to help. Speak with your health care provider first and check out some resources here.