Is it time to quit smoking?
11/3/2025 by Jon Ebbert, M.D.
Cigarette smoking kills 480,000 people each year in the U.S. and shortens life expectancy by at least 10 years. On the other hand, quitting can reduce the excess risk of death associated with continued smoking by about 90%.
The Great American Smokeout, held on the third Thursday in November every year, is an excellent opportunity to quit smoking.
Quitting isn't easy
Most smokers want to quit, and more than half attempt to quit every year. However, less than 1 in 10 can stop smoking for good on their own.
Four out of every nine adult cigarette smokers who saw a healthcare clinician during the past year did not receive advice to quit. Less than one-third of adult cigarette smokers use cessation counseling or medications approved for cessation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when trying to quit smoking.
Treatment options
Several treatments are available to help you quit smoking.
- Varenicline
This is one of the most effective medications available. For a prescription, talk to your clinician. - Nicotine replacement therapy
This includes medications that contain nicotine designed to replace the nicotine obtained from smoking. These are effective and widely available. Consider over-the-counter options, such as a nicotine patch, gum, and lozenges, or prescription options, such as a nasal spray or inhaler. - Bupropion
This antidepressant medication is used to reduce cravings, and it is effective in helping people quit smoking. For a prescription, talk to your clinician. - Electronic cigarettes
While these devices may help people quit, the FDA has not approved them.
Support Resources
- Call 800-784-8669 to get connected to a telephone counselor. These counselors can talk you through the quitting process and help you obtain free nicotine replacement therapy.
- Visit Smokefree.gov, which offers an app and a texting service to help you quit. You can sign up by texting "QUIT" to 47848. The program lasts for six to eight weeks.
If you are considering quitting smoking, talk to your healthcare clinician today. Or join the Great American Smokeout.
Jon Ebbert, M.D., is a physician in Primary Care in Rochester and Kasson's Division of Community Internal Medicine. He is the medical director of the Nicotine Dependence Center.