Quitting smoking is not easy, but it can be done. To have the best chance of quitting successfully, you need to know what you're up against, what your options are, and where to go for help.
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Calculator: How Many Cigarettes Is That?
Tobacco Cessation
Health Services offers tobacco cessation programs and services to students who are interested in quitting. We are dedicated to helping you kick the habit, no matter if you are just thinking about quitting, or are ready now to make a change.
*Videos created by Thomas J. Vatistas, BS, RN, EMT-I, WEMT, Master's in Nursing Capstone Project.
Quitting smoking is not easy, but it can be done. To have the best chance of quitting successfully, you need to know what you're up against, what your options are, and where to go for help.
Learn more...
Calculator: How Many Cigarettes Is That?
Does Health Services offer individualized counseling for tobacco cessation?
Yes, our Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug (ATOD) Educators/Counselors offer individual consultations to discuss any questions or concerns about one's own or another's use of tobacco products. This service for UNH students only.
What can I expect from a counseling appointment to help me quit smoking or using chewing tobacco?
During your initial session, the educator/counselor will help you:
- Design the most effective approach to quit using tobacco products which may include nicotine replacement therapy, support groups, hypnosis, and/or medical acupuncture.
- Identify and design a plan to cope with triggers.
- Chose an appropriate quit date.
- Provide follow-up and referral to outside sources, as appropriate.
How much does it cost to use these services?
Counseling is free of charge for UNH students who have paid the mandatory health fee.
I hear you give out FREE Quit Kits, what are they?
Health Services provides Quit Kits, free of charge to UNH students. Each kit contains educational information on tobacco cessation and fun items to help you stop the cravings.
Where can I pick up a FREE Quit Kit?
Quit Kits can be obtained from any Health Services staff member or from the following departments in Health Services:
Office of Health Education and Promotion, Room 249
Pharmacy
Does Health Services offer Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)?
Yes, some Nicotine Replacement Therapy products and services, the patch and nicotine gum, are available through Health Services, for UNH students.
How do I choose which product is best for me?
You can schedule an appointment with one of our ATOD Educators/Counselors to choose which non-prescription Nicotine Replacement Therapy is right for you.
What Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) products should I consider to help me quit smoking?
- The Patch -
The Patch helps relieve nicotine withdrawal symptoms by providing a steady dosage of nicotine throughout the day, reducing the individuals craving/urge to smoke.
The Patch is available at the UNH Pharmacy, with a prescription by a Health Services Physician or Nurse Practitioner for $35.38/2 week supply. Learn more...
- Nicotine Gum -
Nicotine Gum is available at the UNH Pharmacy, with a prescription by a Health Services Physician or Nurse Practitioner for $22.28/50 pack. Learn More...
Are there alternative ways to assist with tobacco cessation?
Yes, Hypnosis, Medical Acupuncture, and Zyban are additional ways to quit the use of tobacco products.
- Hypnosis - Under hypnosis, the cognitive part of the brain becomes more active, directly changing the perceptions of the subconscious minds so the need and urge to smoke are no longer a habitual behavior.
- Medical Acupuncture - Medical Acupuncture treatments encourage the body’s internal organs to correct imbalances in their digestion, absorption, and energy production activities. Medical Acupuncture has been used for treatment of withdrawal and detoxification of habit forming substances, such as tobacco.
- Zyban -
Zyban is a non-nicotine product for smoking cessation. It works to decrease the withdrawal symptoms and urges to smoke by blocking the reuptake of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine.
Zyban is only available by prescription and can be prescribed by a Health Services Physician or Nurse Practitioner. However, the UNH Pharmacy does not carry this prescription.
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If you are interestd in hypnosis or medical acupuncture, call (603) 862-2856 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jerry Collins. There is a small fee for Medical Acupuncture treatment. Hypnosis is free to all UNH students who have paid their mandatory health fee.
Will these Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRTs) work if I use smokeless (spit) tobacco?
The nicotine dose that gets stored in the gums of smokeless tobacco is at least double that of the amount in cigarettes, making smokeless tobacco more addictive than smoking cigarettes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not specifically approved NRTs for people to quit using smokeless tobacco. However, there is no harm in trying these products or techniques. Research does suggest that The Patch works more effectively than Nicotine Gum.
For more information on tobacco cessation products available for smokeless tobacco users, arrange an appointment with one of our ATOD Educators/Counselors.
Does Health Services offer a tobacco cessation group?
Yes. Group work with others who are trying to quit their use of tobacco products is a great choice for individuals who would like the extra assistance and support during their attempt to quit. Call (603) 862-3823 for more information.
Are there any other ways Health Services can help me?
Yes!
Health Services also provides stress management counseling to help reduce stress and develop new coping mechanisms. This service can be beneficial to everyone trying to quit but can be especially helpful for those who relied heavily on the use of tobacco products as a means to deal with stress. Nutrition counseling is also available for those who are concerned about weight gain after they have stopped using tobacco products, or who are looking to safely and effectively lose the weight gained after quitting.
Both of these services are free to UNH students who have paid the mandatory health fee. For an appointment, call (603) 862-3823.
Becoming comfortable with a tobacco-free life is a process that takes time and commitment. A good "quit tobacco" program includes some of these tips:
- Maintaining perspective, since it takes time and commitment to change a familiar, addictive behavior.
- Providing rewards, even a big red star on a calendar for each day, week, and/or month that someone stays off tobacco, can make a difference.
- Reinforcing one's commitment and successes, however small, when talking with others by using positive statements can help.
- Allowing others to give support and encouragement for efforts can have an impact.
- Avoiding "triggers," those certain times, places, and/or situations that are associated with dipping or chewing tobacco, is another way of taking control.
- Planning and using healthier alternatives for coping with stress can replace the use of tobacco.
- Remaining committed to the goal by keeping in mind any personal reasons for quitting up front and center.
Tobacco Policies
Related Educational Information
- Counseling and Support
- Cessation Options
- Hypnosis
- Medical Acupuncture
- Zyban
- The Nicotine Patch
- Nicotine Chewing Gum
- How to help a friend quit smoking
Cancer
- American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society (ACS) is a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the ACS has state divisions and more than 3,400 local offices. - American Cancer Society - Great American Smokeout
A challenge to quit smoking through the American Cancer Society. - National Cancer Institute
The National Cancer Institute coordinates the National Cancer Program, which conducts and supports research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs with respect to the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer, rehabilitation from cancer, and the continuing care of cancer patients and the families of cancer patients. - NH Lung Association
Breathe New Hampshire is committed to eliminating lung disease and improving the quality of life for those living with lung disease in New Hampshire.
Quitting Smoking
- Create a Quit Plan
- 1–800–Quit–Now This toll-free telephone number connects you to counseling and information about quitting smoking in your state.
- 1-800-879-8678 The New Hampshire Smoker’s Helpline: Provides statewide, phone counseling and health care professional referrals
- Breathe NH
- QuitNet
Chat with others who are looking to quit their use of tobacco products - Helpline to Quit Smoking
Located in the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona and funded by the state tax on tobacco products, the Arizona Smokers’ Helpline (ASHLine) has been helping people quit tobacco since 1995. They offer free telephone and Web-based quit services and provide free training and technical assistance to healthcare providers statewide. - How 2 Quit, CDC
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), through its Office on Smoking and Health (OSH), is the lead federal agency for comprehensive tobacco prevention and control. OSH is a division within the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, which is located within CDC’s Coordinating Center for Health Promotion. - Nicotine Anonymous
Nicotine Anonymous is a Non-Profit 12 Step Fellowship of men and women helping each other live nicotine-free lives. Nicotine Anonymous welcomes all those seeking freedom from nicotine addiction, including those using cessation programs and nicotine withdrawal aids. The primary purpose of Nicotine Anonymous is to help all those who would like to cease using tobacco and nicotine products in any form. The Fellowship offers group support and recovery using the 12 Steps as adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous to achieve abstinence from nicotine. - Quit Net
Resources to quit your use of tobacco products. - Quit Smoking
Information is the key to helping smokers understand the effects of smoking, why they smoke, and how they can quit. Smoking cessation is a process, not just a one-time event that day you put down your cigarettes. - Try To Stop
The Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program is dedicated to reducing the health and economic burden of tobacco use. - Virginia Commonwealth University- Quitting
Everyone at this website is smokefree, and most of their friends are, too. There you will find what ex-smokers and people who've never started have to say about living smokefree. - You Can Stop Smoking Now!
Smokefree.gov is intended to help you or someone you care about quit smoking. -
Tobacco and Health
- Action on Smoking and Health
A.S.H. is the nation's oldest and largest antismoking organization, and the only one which regularly takes hard-hitting legal and other actions to fight smoking and to protect the rights of nonsmokers. - Dangers of spit tobacco and Snuff as an alternative to smoking
- Don't Smoke
Comprehensive collection of articles and links to websites that show statistics and side effects of smoking. - Get Outraged
Learn more about tobacco and it's effects on one's health. - Great American Smokeout National Campaign
- Guide to Quitting Smoking
- Help for cravings and tough situations
- Helping a smoker Do and Don’ts
- Joe Chemo
This web site is dedicated to chemo patients and their family members, with the hope that it will reduce the number of people who smoke and need chemotherapy. - National Cancer Institute Live Chat
Receive information and advice about quitting smoking through real-time text messaging with a National Cancer Institute smoking cessation counselor. - Smokefree.gov
The Federal Government’s one-stop shop to help you quit tobacco. - Tobacco Information and Prevention Tips
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), through its Office on Smoking and Health (OSH), is the lead federal agency for comprehensive tobacco prevention and control. OSH is a division within the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, which is located within CDC’s Coordinating Center for Health Promotion. - Tobacco News and Information
Tobacco.org is a free resource center focusing on tobacco and smoking issues. It features tobacco news, information, assistance for smokers trying to quit, alerts on tobacco control issues, and open consideration of all aspects of the spectrum of issues concerning tobacco, nicotine, cigarettes and cigars. - U Can Quit 2
Assistance & tips to help you create a Quit Plan - US Office on Smoking and Health
Learn more about tobacco and it's effects on one's health. - What about Hookas?
- Women and smoking
