If you’re thinking about quitting tobacco (including cigarettes, e-cigarettes and vapes, smokeless tobacco, cigars, pipes), Nov. 19 is a good time to start your journey. The Great American Smokeout, held every year on the third Thursday in November, is an opportunity to join thousands who are on the same path as you.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that tobacco use harms nearly every organ of the body. It is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the U.S., causing cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and diabetes.

Whether you choose to take the first step on Nov. 19 or any other day, you don’t have to go it alone. The university offers programs and resources to help you.

Talk with a tobacco treatment specialist

MHealthy’s Tobacco Consultation Service (TCS) offers free, one-on-one counseling to faculty and staff, as well as their dependents. Sessions focus on the body, mind and social reasons for using tobacco and learning the skills to help you quit, and stay quit. Participate virtually, by phone or in person. 

For more information, call TCS at (734) 998-6222, email [email protected] or visit the website.

Access a virtual “quit kit” 

This “virtual” quit kit is designed to help you “Quit for A Day.” It includes helpful tools and tips to remind yourself why you want to quit and gives suggestions on how to stay quit.

A limited number of physical quit kits are available. Contact TCS at (734) 998-6222 or email [email protected] for pick-up information. Kits include information sheets, a hope stone (helps to keep hands busy), mint candy (helps to keep mouth busy) and more.

Get smoking cessation medications with zero copay

Eligible U-M drug plan members who want to quit tobacco can get prescription and over-the-counter smoking cessation medications like nicotine gum, patches and lozenges with no copay.    

More tobacco-related resources are available on the MHealthy’s Great American Smokeout webpage.