Why You Should Quit

• Quitting will lower your chance of having a heart attack, stroke, or cancer
• If you are pregnant, quitting will improve your chances of having a healthy baby
• The people you live with, especially your children, will be healthier

Prepare Yourself

• Set a date to quit smoking
• Change your environment - get rid of all cigarettes and ask others not to smoke in your home
• Think about what has worked in the past and what has not

Ask for Support and Encouragement

• You have a better chance to succeed if you have help
• Tell your family and friends you are trying to quit and ask them not to smoke around you and to give you encouragement
• Talk to your doctor and ask for tips
• Seek counseling - contact the Free Kansas Tobacco Quitline (866)526-7867

Learn New Skills

• Distract yourself from urges to smoke - go for a walk or call a friend
• Change your routine - use a different route to work or drink tea instead of coffee
• Do something to reduce stress in your life - take a bath, read a book or exercise

Get Medication

• Medications can help you stop smoking and reduce the urge to smoke. Ask your health care provider for advice and which medications might work best for you.

Be Prepared to Relapse

• Most relapses occur within the first three months after quitting
• Don't be discouraged if you start smoking again - it takes most people several tries before they finally quit
• Talk to your doctor if you have problems with alcohol, weight gain or depression as these situations could increase your urge to smoke

Available FREE Resource

• The Kansas Tobacco Quitline
• The Quitline provides you toll-freea access to trained tobacco cessation counselors - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, at no charge to you. Call 1-866-KAN-STOP (526-7867).