For The Public

For The Public

Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do to live a longer and healthier life, and it is never too late to try. Quitting with help can more than double your chances of quitting. The resources below can help make quitting easier and more successful. Remember, everyone who quits smoking gets back time, health, and money.  A healthier tomorrow starts today!

QUITTING HELP RESOURCES, TOOLS AND TIPS

Telephone support

Talking with a trained quit coach can make you twice as likely to quit smoking for good.

A quit coach can give you advice on how to get ready to quit, how to deal with cravings, and how to avoid triggers.

The PA Free Quitline (1-800-QUIT-NOW) offers smoking cessation services to all Pennsylvanians 24 hours a day/7 days per week.

Free quit smoking medications may be available for PA Quitline callers.

Quitline services are available in multiple languages.

One-to-one telephone coaching also may be available through your medical provider.

All callers receive:

  • up to five coaching sessions by phone
  • unlimited calls to the PA Free Quitline as needed
  • free educational materials on quitting tobacco use

Group coaching

The Health Federation of Philadelphia offers face-to-face quit smoking programs at city health centers and selected community locations.

Smoking cessation counselors provide on-site group smoking cessation programs and individual follow-up to patients who are ready to stop or reduce their use of tobacco products.

Participants may self-refer or be referred by their medical provider.

  • To learn more, please call Faith Simmons at (215) 567-8001 ext. 3017.

Online support

Become an EX.org
The EX plan is an online smoking cessation program based on scientific research and practical advice from ex-smokers.

Smokefree.gov
Smokefree.gov provides free, accurate, evidence-based information and professional assistance to help support the immediate and long-term needs of people trying to quit smoking.

Be Tobacco Free.gov
BeTobaccoFree.gov provides information from various Department of Health and Human Services operating and staff divisions.

12-Step support

Nicotine Anonymous – a Non-Profit 12 Step Fellowship of men and women helping each other live nicotine-free lives.

Nicotine Anonymous welcomes all those seeking freedom from nicotine addiction, including those using cessation programs and nicotine withdrawal aids.

  • 1-877-TRY-NICA (1-877-879-6422)

Text messaging

SmokeFreeTXT
Text2Quit is an automated, personalized, and interactive mobile health program that sends text messages and e-mails timed around a participant’s quit date over the course of three months.

  • To get started, text the word “QUIT” to I-QUIT (4-7848)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Does quit support really help?

Yes. Trained quit coaches can work with you over weeks and months to raise your chances of quitting.

They can provide advice on how to get ready to try to quit, how to deal with those moments that you really want to smoke, how to avoid those moments, and how to quit for good.

How much does quit coaching cost?

Nothing. All of the resources listed above are free. If you have health insurance through Medicaid, you may get nicotine gum, patches, lozenges, or other medications to help you quit for as little as $1 a month.

If you have private insurance or Medicare, call your insurance company for more information

Under the Affordable Care Act, many insurance plans should cover smoking cessation services, including counseling and medications.

For more information, call the member services number on your insurance card.

What can I expect from telephone quit coaching (1-800-QUIT-NOW)?

Generally, phone-based quit coaching services are provided once per week over 4-6 weeks.

When you first call the Quitline, an operator will ask for some information about you and then connect you to a quit coach.

This quit coach will then get more information from you about your smoking history and your past tries at quitting.

  • In the first call, your quit coach will help you create a quit plan, set a quit date, and help you decide whether to use medications or not.
  • In the second call, your quit coach will see how your quit try is going, will encourage you to continue, and will help you work through problems.
  • In the third call, your quit coach will cheer for you if things are going well and will provide useful advice if things are not going well.
  • In the fourth call, your quit coach will help you see how far you’ve come along and will help you plan to quit for good.

Can I use a quit coach and use medications at the same time?

Yes. In fact, people who use both ways of quit help are even more likely to quit than those who use only coaching or medications.

In addition, all classes sponsored by the Department of Public Health offer free quit medications.

Hay servicios en Español?

Si. Hay servicios por el teléfono y internet.

  • Línea de ayuda telefónica: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)
  • Página web: Estoy Decidido

SUCCESS STORIES

In 2013, the City of Philadelphia’s Ex-Smoker’s Hall of Fame Initiative honored City employees who successfully quit smoking.  Their stories are an inspiration to other tobacco users to quit smoking for good. Read some of these inspirational stories here.

Just this year, DBHIDS launched the Ex-Smoker’s Hall of Fame Initiative department-wide to help inspire our fellow team members to become tobacco-free. Meet the Department’s Ex-Smokers and read their stories:

HELP OTHERS QUIT

Friends, family members, and significant others can play a big part in helping a person become smoke-free. Remember, everyone who quits tobacco gets back time, health, and money.

People who feel supported are more likely to quit smoking for good.  Forty percent of smokers who quit say that support from others contributed to their success. Click here for tips to help you support the person in your life who is ready to quit smoking.

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