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It’s never too late to toss tobacco and boost your health

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For World No Tobacco Day, discover how VA helps Veterans stop smoking, dipping, and chewing tobacco.

No matter how long you’ve been using tobacco, when you stop using it, you’ll notice some positive changes almost immediately. You’ll also improve your health over the years to come. That’s why—for World No Tobacco Day on May 31—VA is reminding Veterans that it’s never too late to stop. Now is the time to take advantage of the many VA resources that help Veterans quit smoking, chewing, or dipping.

Please stop by our table at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center in the atrium on Friday May 31st from 8:30am to 3:45pm to get more information and a few giveaways (while supplies last). 

Improve your physical and mental health

Any time is the right time to stop using tobacco. Whether you’re 18 or 81, you and those around you will feel the benefits of stopping tobacco use, and the benefits will continue to build over time. 

When you stop smoking, you lower your risk for the common cold, the flu, and pneumonia. You also can reduce feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress—and you give depression and anxiety medications the best chance of working properly. Your nights may become more restful when you stop because the nicotine in tobacco can make it difficult to sleep.

Just 1 year after you stop smoking, your risk of heart disease goes down by half. Within 2 to 5 years, your risk of stroke decreases and may match that of a nonsmoker. Within 5 to 10 years, your risk of certain types of cancer is cut in half. Similar benefits apply when you stop using smokeless tobacco. 

Find the way to stop using tobacco that works for you

For World No Tobacco Day on May 31, learn about the many ways VA can support you along your journey to stopping tobacco use—from developing a quit plan to supporting long-term abstinence.

Even if you’ve tried to stop before, your VA provider can help you try a new therapy or combination of treatments that may work for you.

  • Counseling: VA offers group and individual counseling to talk about everyday tobacco use, identify triggers for use, and make lifestyle changes that can help Veterans quit. Counseling is available in person or through VA Video Connect, VA’s secure videoconferencing app. You can use My HealtheVet, VA’s online patient portal, to send your VA provider a secure message to learn more about your options. 
  • Medications: To help reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms and cravings that come with stopping tobacco use, VA offers prescription medications and nicotine replacement therapy in the form of nicotine gum, patches, lozenges, and nasal spray. You can also learn more about your medication options by reaching out to your VA provider on My HealtheVet.
  • Quit VET: Veterans can call 1-855-QUIT-VET (1-855-784-8838) for counseling and help with developing a plan to stop tobacco use, such as smoking and smokeless tobacco use. Quitline counselors are available Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. ET, to help you prepare for potential challenges and avoid relapse. Counselors offer continued support in English or Spanish through follow-up calls. 
  • SmokefreeVET: For tools and tips you can use to stop smoking or using smokeless tobacco, sign up for SmokefreeVET by texting VET to 47848. SmokefreeVET provides regular text messages and also provides a message with extra support when Veterans text the keywords URGE, STRESS, or SMOKED to 47848. Text the word DIPPED instead of SMOKED to receive a tailored tip for quitting smokeless tobacco. Para inscribirse en SmokefreeVET en español, manda el texto VETesp al 47848. Learn more on the SmokefreeVET website.