Parents Quit Smoking for Good

Saying goodbye to cigarettes is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your family. Even if you've tried to quit before, don't be discouraged. Most smokers actually try to quit between eight and 10 times before they finally succeed. To help you triumph over tobacco, we've teamed up with EX® to help moms and dads create their own personalized quit plans online at BecomeAnEX.org. Created by the American Legacy Foundation in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center and input from current and former smokers, EX will help you re-learn your life without cigarettes.

Here's even more incentive to quit for good: As of April 1, the federal excise tax on cigarettes will increase from 39 cents to $1 a pack. Although the extra money you'll pay will benefit the health care of uninsured children, you can greatly improve your own children's health -- and your own -- by stopping smoking.

Whether you're setting a quit date or you've already thrown away your last pack, we've got your back with parent-only strategies to help you quit for good.

As each day passes, you'll see how powerful it feels to be smoke-free. We'll help you stick it out over the long haul -- even if you have minor setbacks.

Research has shown that you can at least double your odds of success if you take advantage of nicotine replacement or other medications.

Diana Castillo
San Antonio, Texas
Kids: 8 and 7
"I no longer spend all day thinking about smoking. I actually worry that I'm more vulnerable now than when I first quit because my guard is down, but I know that I do not want to smoke again!"

Pediatricians can be a helpful resource for parents who are trying to quit.

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