Tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke remain the leading causes of preventable illness and death in the United States. Life expectancy for smokers is 10 years shorter than for non-smokers, and secondhand smoke kills more than 41,000 people annually in the United States (CDC, 2021). For individuals seeking to quit, a variety of free, structured programs and support systems are available. These resources range from self-paced video libraries and toolkits to personalized email courses and national quitlines, offering guidance on nicotine addiction, medication, and behavioral strategies.
Free Tobacco Cessation Programs
Several organizations provide comprehensive, no-cost programs designed to help tobacco and electronic cigarette users quit. These programs are often developed by health-focused institutions and are accessible to adults, with some specific to certain service areas.
Sentara Health Plans offers a free tobacco cessation program called "Stay Smokeless for Life." This is a self-paced program created to help tobacco and electronic cigarette users quit. It teaches about the nature of nicotine addiction and effective ways to control dependency and addiction through a video library and toolkit. The program provides access to the library, toolkit, and additional tobacco cessation resources. This information is intended for individuals who are 18 years and older only and those living in the Sentara/Sentara Health Plans service areas.
The American Lung Association provides the "Freedom From Smoking" program. This is a structured group program that has helped many people successfully quit. For example, one individual, George G., stated that he tried to quit more than a dozen times but was completely addicted. After his son was born, he knew he had to stop for good. He successfully quit through Freedom From Smoking and later got certified as a Facilitator to help others quit.
Personalized Email-Based Programs
Email-based programs offer a flexible, personalized approach to quitting smoking. These programs typically send timed messages with tips and reminders tailored to a participant's quit journey.
The American Cancer Society has developed "Empowered to Quit," an email-based program to help individuals quit smoking. The program is free to join and supports the user's journey to successfully quitting and staying quit. It is designed to help people quit for good over the course of just 2 months. The program was proven in a research study to increase the odds of successfully quitting by 47% based on a 2018 randomized control trial comparing users of this program to a control group.
The process begins with making the decision to quit and planning a quit day. Users can set their quit day as soon as tomorrow or up to 30 days from now. It is recommended to give yourself enough time to come up with a quit plan, but not so much time that you’ll change your mind; it is best to pick a weekday that doesn’t look like it will be too stressful. After signing up, a welcome email is sent within 24 hours. To help customize the quit journey, participants are asked to complete a brief survey that will be emailed after signing up. The program then sends personalized tips on how to quit and remain smoke-free. These messages are timed around the quit date and include reminders about personal reasons for quitting and who to turn to for help during the quitting process.
The program highlights several key reasons to quit from the 2020 U.S. Surgeon General’s Report. It emphasizes that it’s not too late to quit using tobacco and that there are many health benefits. In fact, the sooner you quit smoking, the more you can reduce your chances of getting cancer and other diseases. Regardless of age, those who quit smoking benefit by living longer, improving their overall health, and enhancing their quality of life.
National Quitlines and Online Resources
For immediate support, a network of toll-free hotlines and websites is available to U.S. residents. The North American Quitline Consortium is a network of toll-free hotlines and websites. Individuals can find their state quitline and resources at map.naquitline.org.
For U.S. Residents, the following hotlines are available: - English: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or smokefree.gov - Spanish: 1-855-DEJELO-YA (1-855-335-3569) or espanol.smokefree.gov - Chinese: 1-800-838-8917 or asiansmokersquitline.org - Korean: 1-800-556-5564 or asiansmokersquitline.org - Vietnamese: 1-800-778-8440 or asiansmokersquitline.org - Veterans: 1-855-QUIT VET (1-855-784-8838) or mentalhealth.va.gov/quit-tobacco/ - TTY: 1-800-332-8615
Several organizations also offer good information online and may have local resources: - American Heart Association: 1-800-AHA-USA1 or heart.org/Smoking - American Cancer Society: 1-800-ACS-2345 (1-800-227-2345) or cancer.org/healthy/stay-away-from-tobacco - American Lung Association: 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or lung.org/stop-smoking - National Cancer Institute: 1-877-44U-QUIT (1-877-448-7848) or smokefree.gov - Truth Initiative’s Become An Ex: becomeanex.org
Information on Smoking-Cessation Medicines
For those considering medication as part of their quit plan, information is available on commonly prescribed options. Two commonly prescribed smoking-cessation medicines are noted. Brand names include Zyban®, Wellbutrin®, Wellbutrin SR® and Wellbutrin XL®. This medication is also available as a generic. Varenicline is another generic medicine that can help reduce the cravings for nicotine and its pleasurable effects on the brain.
It is important to note that the American Heart Association does not recommend or endorse any specific products. If a prescription medication isn’t on a provided list, a health care professional and a pharmacist are the best sources of information. It’s important to discuss all of the drugs you take with a member of your health care team and understand their desired effects and possible side effects. Never stop taking a medication and never change your dose or frequency without first consulting a member of your health care team.
Both medicines work by blocking the flow of chemicals in the brain that make you want to smoke. They come in pill form, starting with a low dose and gradually increasing up to the full dose. It takes about a week for these medicines to work, so you need to start them before you actually quit smoking or vaping. Each of these medicines may interact differently with other medicines you’re taking.
Additional Support and Private Programs
Beyond the programs and hotlines listed, other forms of support exist. Many hospitals, health care companies, and employers offer outpatient and inpatient smoking cessation programs. For medical questions, individuals are encouraged to review information with their doctor.
For those dealing with cancer, the American Cancer Society provides a 24/7 cancer helpline that provides information and answers. They can connect you with trained cancer information specialists who will answer questions about a cancer diagnosis and provide guidance and a compassionate ear. Their highly trained specialists are available 24/7 via phone and on weekdays can assist through online chat. They connect patients, caregivers, and family members with essential services and resources at every step of their cancer journey.
Conclusion
A wide array of free resources is available to support individuals in the United States who are ready to quit tobacco use. From structured programs like Sentara's "Stay Smokeless for Life" and the American Lung Association's "Freedom From Smoking" to personalized email courses like the American Cancer Society's "Empowered to Quit," there are options to fit different needs and preferences. National quitlines provide immediate, confidential support in multiple languages, and information on medications can help individuals make informed decisions with their healthcare providers. The common goal of these resources is to provide the tools and support necessary to successfully quit smoking and improve long-term health outcomes.