Most adult smokers – nearly 70% – say they want to quit, and many make quit attempts each year. In 2020, slightly more than half of current adult smokers (56%) made a quit attempt, and in 2021 one-third of current e-cigarette users reported an attempt to quit vaping.
Quitting disparities exist among certain populations, including communities with lower income and education, racial and ethnic minority groups, and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Strong tobacco policies are needed to address these disparities and raise awareness about resources to help people quit.
Access the truth initiative® article to learn more and access the Fact Sheet which offers data outlining use of, the risks, quit rates as well as resources and support programs.
“People aren’t successful with the ‘cold turkey’ method to quit smoking or using tobacco products. Quit-smoking experts say only 3% to 5% of those using this method will quit for longer than six months. There are many resources and services available for providers to access, including medications and counseling, which triples a smoker’s chance of successful quitting. This article and the Quitting Tobacco Fact Sheet 2024.pdf outlines many of these resources and why they work,” shared Dee Kaser, RN, CDCES; Quality Improvement Advisor with Great Plains QIN.
Evidence-based quit treatments lower smoking rates and save lives and money. A large body of research on quit smoking treatments confirms that a combination of behavioral counseling, medication and social support is the most effective way to treat this deadly addiction. Research also demonstrates the effectiveness of a broad range of health care providers asking about tobacco use, referring tobacco users to treatment, and delivering direct quitting methods. We know that longer duration and comprehensive services and interventions are more successful in helping people quit.
Assess your patient’s with every encounter to encourage tobacco cessation and then connect them to a Quitline NDQuits or QUIT SD in your state.
Visit the Tobacco Prevention section of the Chronic Disease Management Initiative of our website to help with nicotine addiction. Some tools include:
- Break the Chain of Tobacco/Nicotine Dependence Change Package
- Reduce Smoking and Improve Pain Management
Listen to our Podcast – Q-Tips For Your Ears!
The Great American Smokeout – Make a Plan to Quit Smoking: The American Cancer Society hosts the Great American Smokeout every year as an opportunity for people who smoke or use smokeless tobacco to commit to healthy, nicotine-free lives. Take a few minutes to listen and learn more.