Espa?ol
PDFs by language
Our 24/7 cancer helpline provides information and answers for people dealing with cancer. We can connect you with trained cancer information specialists who will answer questions about a cancer diagnosis and provide guidance and a compassionate ear.
Chat live online
Select the Live Chat button at the bottom of the page
Call us at 1-800-227-2345
Available any time of day or night
Our highly trained specialists are available 24/7 via phone and on weekdays can assist through online chat. We connect patients, caregivers, and family members with essential services and resources at every step of their cancer journey. Ask us how you can get involved and support the fight against cancer. Some of the topics we can assist with include:
For medical questions, we encourage you to review our information with your doctor.
Quitting tobacco can be a long, hard process. You will likely have strong cravings. You will probably go through times when it’s especially hard to stay away from tobacco. But there are things you can do to help yourself stay quit.
When you quit, and whenever you’re having a rough time, try to avoid things that may trigger your cravings.
Above all, reward yourself for doing your best. Give yourself rewards often if that’s what it takes to keep going. Plan to do something fun.
Cravings are real. It’s not just your imagination. When you feel a strong urge to use tobacco, you may also notice that your mood changes. Your heart rate and blood pressure might go up, too.
Try these tips to get through it. Hang in there – the cravings will get better.
You might have a lot of pent-up energy while trying to quit and stay tobacco-free. When you’re looking for something to do, think about ways you can be active and productive.
Some of these distractions can help keep you from gaining weight after quitting, too.
Find activities that are cheap or free. You can find programs online or streaming through a TV or mobile app for beginner’s yoga, tai chi, or aerobics. You could also borrow a video or book about them from the library.
A walk in a park, on a trail, a local mall, or around your neighborhood are all good ways to get moving, too. You’ll notice over time that it gets easier to do these things. And watch how much better you can breathe as each day passes.
The first few weeks after quitting can be hard for anyone. And staying away from tobacco may be extra tough during a holiday season, when stress and the temptation to overindulge are often worse.
Some special efforts can help you celebrate the holidays without giving into the urge. Many of these ideas can also help throughout the year.
Celebrate being tobacco-free and try these tips to keep your mind off smoking:
If you have a weak moment and slip during the holidays, don’t panic.
Take a deep breath. Remind yourself of your commitment to quit and all the reasons you quit in the first place. Commit to going back to your quit program right away. Destroy any tobacco products you have before you’re tempted again. Try to figure out why you had a setback and learn from it.
Here are more ideas that have helped others kick their tobacco habit for good:
If you’re thinking about reaching for a cigarette or other tobacco product, reach for help instead. Ask your friends and family to encourage the new healthier you, reach out to a support group, visit Nicotine Anonymous, or call 1-800-QUIT NOW.
You can always call American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345. We want you to quit tobacco and we’re here to help you do it.
Developed by the American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team with medical review and contribution by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
This content has been developed by the American Cancer Society in collaboration with the to help people who want to learn about quitting tobacco.
Betts JM, Dowd AN, Forney M, Hetelekides E, Tiffany ST. A meta-analysis of cue reactivity in tobacco cigarette smokers. Nicotine Tob Res. 2021; 23(2): 249-258.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. How to Quit Smoking. Accessed at https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/quit-smoking/index.html on August 26, 2024.
National Cancer Institute. How to handle withdrawal symptoms and triggers when you decide to quit smoking. Accessed at https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/tobacco/withdrawal-fact-sheet on September 10, 2024.
Smokefree.gov. Challenges When Quitting. Accessed at https://smokefree.gov/challenges-when-quitting on September 10, 2024.
Last Revised: October 28, 2024
American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy.
Sign up to stay up-to-date with news, valuable information, and ways to get involved with the American Cancer Society.
If this was helpful, donate to help fund patient support services, research, and cancer content updates.