What if I want to quit?
Congratulations on that decision! Quitting tobacco is one of the best things you can do for your health. All residents of North Carolina have access to QuitlineNC, which provides free access to a quit coach who will help you make a plan to quit and support you while you do.
Nicotine replacement (NRT) is a way to quit tobacco gradually through the use of a patch, gum, or lozenge to help wean your body off of nicotine. NRT is available free of charge for some people through the quitline, and quit success rates are higher for people who use a combination of Quitline services with NRT. Nicotine replacement is not recommended for use during pregnancy.
Some prescription medications, such as buproprion (Zyban, Wellbutrin) or varenicline (Chantix) can help people be more successful quitting tobacco. Buproprion may be used in pregnancy if counseling alone is not enough, but varenicline is not recommended during pregnancy. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether these medications might be a good option for you.
If you are thinking of becoming pregnant, it is best to quit using tobacco first. If you are pregnant and using tobacco, the earlier in your pregnancy you quit, the better for the health of you and your baby.
Can switching to e-cigarettes help me quit smoking cigarettes?
Some people say that e-cigarettes help them cut down on smoking cigarettes or quit smoking. But e-cigarettes are not an FDA approved cessation medication like the forms of NRT and prescription medications described above. Studies show that over time, e-cigarette users modify (increasing voltage, changing liquids or puffing more deeply or longer) their use of e-cigarettes to get levels of nicotine similar to when they smoked cigarettes instead of reducing the nicotine dependency. (Source).
What are some resources that can help me quit tobacco?
North Carolina’s Quitline, QuitlineNC, offers free 24/7 support from trained QuitCoaches to help you quit smoking, vaping or any other tobacco product. Visit quitlinenc.com or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) for more information or to make a plan to quit!
This is Quitting is a mobile app by Truth Initiative designed to help youth and young adults quit smoking or vaping. Get tips and suggestions for quitting and see the community of people like you who are ready to quit tobacco.
Find more information about electronic cigarettes, tobacco, and free 24/7 confidential support to quit at QuitlineNC.com or by calling 1-800-Quit-Now.
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