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Health Resources and Programs

Smoking Cessation

Are You Ready to Quit?

Most people want to quit smoking. If you are thinking about quitting - there is help to support  you along the way!

 

Make an appointment with your Primary Care Clinician


Your clinician will help you to evaluate the best aids for quitting smoking which may include prescription medications based on your health and smoking history. The medication blocks nicotine receptors so that smoking is no longer pleasurable.  Discuss this with your clinician who knows you best and can help you decide if this is a good option for you. Yale benefited employees can schedule an appointment with there Yale Health clinician to  discuss a quit plan.

 

Yale Health Center Pharmacy


Nicotine replacement therapy helps to reduce the cravings that are normal when you are withdrawing from the nicotine in tobacco. Common forms of nicotine replacement therapy include nicotine patches, gum, and lozenges. Are available for purchase.

 

Call the Connecticut QuitLine

1-866-END-HABIT, a confidential telephone service that offers many resources, free of charge, for tobacco users who want to quit for on going coaching support.

Ask the Quitline about a smoking support groups in your area.

Connecticut Quit Line

 

Get an online step-by-step quit smoking guide at smokefree.gov.

 

View the online cost savings calculator.

 

Additional tips:

  • Get support from a non-smoker, an ex-smoker, or a friend who wants to quit; if you want a cigarette, call this person for a pep talk instead.
  • Ask family and friends not to smoke around you and try to avoid people and places that tempt you to smoke.
  • Expect craving to be the strongest on the first few days. On days 5-10, the cravings plateau, then dwindle after that. This is when you start to feel better. Most urges to smoke go away in 3 to 5 minutes.
  • If you want a cigarette, try:

                                taking 5 deep breaths

                                calling a friend

                                taking a walk

 

Yale employees and their household members

Yale provides free smoking cessation resources for Yale employees and their household members through Yale's Counseling and Support Services call 1-800-327-9240 to talk to a counselor.