How can I quit smoking?
(SPM Wire)

Even though we all know it's bad for us, many people keep smoking because it seems so hard to quit.

According to Dr. Michael Cummings, Chair of Health Behavior at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, the keys to quitting are deciding you want to quit, setting a quit date and developing a plan that will increase your odds of success.

"Get help if necessary," says Cummings, "There are some great tools that you can use available online, over the phone, and in the drug store."

Approved medications that can help include nicotine patches, gums and lozenges, and two non-nicotine medications - Zyban and Chantix. You should talk with your doctor or pharmacist to see what medications might work best for you.

"Get some advice and counseling support. Most states and many health care plans have quitlines you can call and get free counseling support," stresses Cummings. There is also a toll-free national quitline at 1-800-Quit-Now.

"If you don't succeed right away don't get discouraged; quitting smoking is a process since you're trying to overcome an addiction. Addictions are not cured, they're managed, one day at a time," he says.

For more information about cancer prevention and education, visit the Roswell Park Web site at www.roswellpark.org.