Be Prepared to Quit Smoking

Countless Americans will make the New Year's resolution to quit smoking in 2012. While quitting smoking is extremely difficult - six out of 10 smokers require multiple quit attempts to stop smoking - preparing a quit-smoking plan can greatly improve a person's chance for success. The following are proven tips and resources from the American Lung Association that have helped thousands of people give up smoking for good:

"Quitting smoking is the single most important step smokers can take to improve their health," said Norman H. Edelman, M.D., chief medical officer of the American Lung Association. "The start of a fresh New Year is a great time for smokers to implement their plan to quit smoking?and reap the health and financial benefits of a smokefree lifestyle."

Helping Americans quit smoking remains a public health priority for the American Lung Association. Its Freedom From Smoking group clinic program -which began in 1981 and includes a comprehensive variety of evidence-based cessation techniques - has helped hundreds of thousands of smokers quit. The American Lung Association more recently introduced Freedom From Smoking Online, a highly successful, self-paced online adaptation of the group clinic that is available 24 hours a day.

"Smokers don't have to go it alone when they attempt to quit smoking," added Edelman. "In fact, research shows that people who develop a support system and use programs like Freedom From Smoking Online have greater success in quitting for good, compared to those who try to quit 'cold turkey.'"

For more information about the American Lung Association, call 800-LUNG-USA (800-586-4872) or visit www.lung.org.