Army Veteran Kicks Tobacco Habit

 The Army Veteran had tried giving up cigarettes a few times before, but this time she was determined to stop for good.

Diallo's smoking habit started in high school, growing up in a household where smoking was commonplace. Being constantly around other smokers, including during her army service from 2008-2012, made it challenging to quit.

"Smoking was very ingrained in military culture," Diallo explained. Like many, she used smoke breaks as a social escape and way to cope with stress.

In 2012 when leaving active duty, Diallo attempted to kick the habit but started again once she got home. It wasn't until a conversation with her boss years later that quitting clicked. Her boss explained that if Diallo could quit before age 35, it would be like she never smoked at all health-wise.

With a new motivation to quit while not yet 35, Diallo turned to resources at the VA. Her doctor referred her to VA's Tobacco Treatment Program where she was connected with medications and a tobacco treatment specialist for individual counseling. They met weekly to discuss cravings, identify smoking triggers and problem solve ways to cope with them.

Now smoke-free for over a year, Diallo has more energy, improved breathing, and an enhanced sense of smell. She also doesn't rely on cigarettes to cope with anxiety and anger like before.

Diallo encourages other Veterans to take full advantage of the smoking cessation options the VA offers, especially the counseling. "It was a great program and Veterans should really take advantage of it fully," she said.