We are open from 6:00 a.m. - 3:00 a.m., seven days a week.
Our services are available to all North Carolinians, youths and adults.
Our expert Quit Coaches can make up to three follow-up calls to you.
English, Spanish and other languages are available.
All calls are free and confidential.
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Why Quit Using Tobacco?
Tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable death in the United States and in North Carolina. If that's not enough reason to quit, then consider the following:
If you are a one pack a day smoker, you can save over $1800 or more per year if you quit.
It is important to know the difference between wanting to quit and needing to quit. Most people know that they need to quit, and are aware of the health effects of tobacco use.
Identify reasons you want to quit. To improve your health, for a loved one, so that you can enjoy playing sports...anything that motivates you. This can remind you why you want to quit.
Get support. Whether from a family member, a friend, or by calling the N.C. Tobacco Use Quitline, you can get the support you need to help you quit using tobacco. Success rates are much higher for tobacco users who have support while trying to kick the habit.
Make a plan. Start by setting a quit date and tell your family, friends and co-workers so that they can support you in your attempt to quit using tobacco products. Think about the challenges you will face and how you can handle these challenges.
Get rid of the temptation. Remove all tobacco products from your environment.
Within 20 minutes after you smoke that last cigarette, your body begins a series of changes that continue for years.
20 minutes after quitting, your heart rate drops.
12 hours after quitting, carbon monoxide levels in your blood drops to normal.
2 weeks to 3 months after quitting, your heart attack risk begins to drop. Your lung function begins to improve.
1 to 9 months after quitting, your coughing and shortness of breath decrease.
1 year after quitting, your added risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker's.
5 years after quitting, your stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker's 5 - 15 years after quitting.
10 years after quitting, your lung cancer death rate is about half that of a smoker's. Your risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas decreases.
15 years after quitting, your risk of coronary heart disease is back to that of a nonsmoker's.
The purpose of the Help for Smokers and Other Tobacco Users booklet is to inform you of ways you can get help to quit smoking and using other tobacco. It explains the best ways for you to quit - and quit for good. All the information in the booklet is based on scientific research about what will give you the best chances of quitting.
- The Tobacco Prevention & Control Branch has posted a 
Why Quit Using Tobacco?
