Quit Smokeless Tobacco
On February 22, join others across the nation to recognize the Great American Spit Out, a time to quit the use of smokeless tobacco products such as chewing tobacco, snuff, and dissolvable products for 24 hours or more.
Smokeless tobacco is just as addictive as cigarettes. One pouch or dip may contain twice as much nicotine as a cigarette. It can sometimes take many attempts to quit smokeless tobacco, and that's okay. A 2017 survey showed that 15.9 percent of Veterans use tobacco, and more than 765,000 of them tried to quit last year. Quitting smokeless tobacco is hard. But it helps if you have a plan. VA has some resources to help you quit.
Smokeless Tobacco: A Veteran's Guide for Quitting: A workbook (PDF) to help Veterans prepare for and start their 'quit.' It addresses reasons for quitting, creating support, using a medication, and dealing with stress and withdrawal.
SmokefreeVET text message program for smokeless tobacco users: A mobile phone text message program that offers supportive texts specific to smokers who are trying to quit. To sign up, Veterans should text VET to 47848 or visit https://smokefree.gov/veterans/quit-smokeless-tobacco
Smokeless Tobacco, Get the Facts: Provides information on smokeless tobacco to Veterans
Stay Quit Coach: An app that provides tools to help you cope with smoking urges and motivational messages to help you stay smoke-free. It's available on iPhones and Androids.
Quitting takes practice. If you can stay off for two weeks, then you know you're closer to quitting. Even the most motivated person may try to quit multiple times before stopping for good. But knowing why you want to quit is important to a successful quit strategy. As you take this huge step to improve your health and life, VA is here to help. Smokeless Tobacco, A Veteran's Guide for Quitting is a PDF that will help you make your own quit plan so you can stop for good.
Remember, an hour, a day, or any time without chewing or dipping is something to celebrate. Get together with the people who've supported your quit journey. Take time to feel proud of yourself. Check out tobacco-free ways to celebrate your successes.
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Quit Smokeless Tobacco (Smokefree VET)
Updated February 12, 2018
