The ‘Time Is Right’ to enjoy your life without tobacco

No matter how long you have been smoking, chewing or dipping, “The Time Is Right” to consider stopping.

In observance of World No Tobacco Day on May 31, VA encourages you to learn about the ways your life can improve once you stop using tobacco for good. VA provides a variety of proven treatment options so you can work with your health care provider to develop a treatment plan tailored to meet your specific goals.

During World No Tobacco Day, VA is also celebrating the 10-year anniversary of its partnership with the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Together, VA and NCI have established and maintained two highly successful and effective tobacco use treatment resources: the 1-855-QUIT-VET telephone quitline and the SmokefreeVET text messaging program.

Together, these programs have supported more than 70,000 Veterans who wanted to stop using tobacco. Both services focus on addressing your individual needs and are available in English and Spanish. The quitline provides one-on-one counseling by phone, while SmokefreeVET is a customizable text messaging program that sends you automated, tailored messages that provide ongoing support throughout your journey to quitting.

No matter what method you use to stop smoking, chewing or dipping, “The Time Is Right” to stop.

The Time Is Right to start feeling better

People often focus on the long-term health issues associated with tobacco use but when you stop smoking, chewing or dipping, the physical and mental health improvements start almost immediately and continue for decades.

• The very minute you decide you’re through with tobacco, you open yourself up to the world that tobacco had taken away. Consider how much better each day would be without the intrusions of tobacco cravings.
• Just 20 minutes after you quit, your heart rate and blood pressure are lower.
• Two to three days after you quit, you may notice your food tastes better.
• One week after you stop using tobacco, cravings and urges to use may be less frequent and shorter in duration.
• A few months after stopping smoking, your breathing improves.
• Over time, your sleep will improve, your risk for many diseases will decrease and you will have more energy.

The Time Is Right—There’s never a bad time to stop using tobacco

If you’re a Veteran interested in quitting tobacco, you have many options to get started:

• Talk with your VA health care provider (in person or via telehealth) about planning for a life free of tobacco. Treatments include individual or group counseling, prescription medications and nicotine replacement products like gum and patches that treat withdrawal symptoms and help manage cravings. The most effective treatment for long-term quitting includes both medication and behavioral counseling.
• Call the VA national quitline at 1-855-QUIT-VET (1-855-784-8838) to be connected immediately with a tobacco cessation counselor and receive free telephone counseling in English or Spanish.
• Sign up for SmokefreeVET to receive text message tips and support on your cellphone, even if you use smokeless tobacco. Text the word VET to 47848 (or VETesp to 47848 for Spanish) or visit smokefree.gov/VET.
• Use a smartphone app like VA’s Stay Quit Coach, which is available for download from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Learn more at mobile.va.gov/app/stay-quit-coach.
• Access information online by visiting MentalHealth.va.gov/quit-tobacco and veterans.smokefree.gov.