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Make this the year to quit and stay quit

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  • By Staff
  • Health Promotions
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Happy New Year! As the countdown to 2015 begins, the time to list your New Year's resolution draws closer and closer. It's always difficult to sit down and write your resolutions, after you have gone back to that old habit you promised yourself you would stop in the New Year. Make 2015 different.  Let this be the year you quit nicotine and stay quit.

If you are putting "Quit Tobacco" as number one on your list, you are not alone. Each year 40 to 45 percent of American adults make one or more resolutions and quitting tobacco is among the most popular. But making a list is not the challenge. Keeping your resolution is the hard part. After just six months, only 46 percent of people still maintain their resolutions.

There are some steps you can take to help you stick with this resolution.

· Make a Plan Once you write quitting down as your top resolution, make sure to create a quit plan, with your quit method, so you know how you are going to quit.

· Review the Benefits It's important to know just how dangerous tobacco can be, and what you can gain once you quit.

· Quit with a Buddy Do you know someone else that uses tobacco? Encourage them to quit tobacco and make it their 2015 resolution. Quitting tobacco using the buddy system will instantly improve your chances for success.

· Know your Resources There are several resources available to quit, including medication through your PCM, live chat services at www.ucanquit2.org, tobacco cessation classes and coaching sessions at the Health Promotion office, the American Lung Association Tobacco Helpline at 1-877-695-7848, and even a text message support program,  SmokefreeMIL, to enroll: text MIL to 47848.

· Commit to Stay Quit Saying "I'm Quitting" is not enough. You have to change your routine, find other ways to keep busy and, most importantly, get through the cravings and nicotine withdrawal.

Quitting tobacco is the most important resolution you will make. You are not only quitting for you and your health, but quitting benefits your family, friends and pets. Make this the year you can finally say "I did it!" Make this the year to Quit and Stay Quit.