Bridging the gap between existing cessation resources and the smokers who need them is essential to increasing quit rates and reducing tobacco-related health impacts.

When you see all the information about the health dangers of smoking, you might wonder why smokers you know don’t just quit. What you may not know is that most smokers do want to quit, but less than 6% are able to do it each year. Raising this low quit rate is essential in order to decrease smoking prevalence and stem the epidemic of tobacco-related death and disease.

Smoking is a powerful addiction that is extremely difficult to overcome. The nicotine in cigarettes literally changes the chemistry of a smoker’s brain, creating physical dependence. Coupled with the behavioral and social aspects of smoking, it can seem next to impossible for a smoker to quit.

A great deal is already known about the specific services and supports that will help smokers successfully quit. But most smokers continue to think that quitting is simply a matter of willpower. Only one in three uses at least one evidence-based cessation method in their quit attempts. While new research is critical to further refine our knowledge and expand treatment options, there is no time to waste increasing consumer demand for existing cessation resources that have already been proven effective to help people quit.