National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Be Tobacco Free
Be tobacco free! Don't use commercial tobacco in any form*. If you are using tobacco, the VA can help you stop. Avoid secondhand smoke. If you are pregnant, both you and your baby will have better health.
*Tobacco in this document refers to commercial tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and others, and does not include the sacred and traditional use of tobacco by some American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
What's Important to Know?
Stopping tobacco use is the single most important thing you can do to improve your health and protect your family’s health. If you stop smoking or using other forms of tobacco, you and your family will experience short and long-term health benefits. It’s never too late to stop—your health will improve at any age after stopping tobacco!
All forms of commercial tobacco use— including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, snuff, snus, chewing tobacco and more—are harmful. Tobacco use harms nearly every organ of the body and causes:
- Cancers
- Heart disease and stroke
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other lung/breathing problems
- Complications in those who are pregnant
Cigarette smoking is the largest cause of preventable illness and death in the United States. One in five deaths are caused by cigarette smoking and secondhand smoke.
Secondhand smoke is the smoke released from a burning cigarette, cigar or pipe, as well as the smoke exhaled by the smoker. There is no safe level of secondhand smoke. It can cause harmful effects on non-smokers’ health and can increase their risk of heart disease, lung cancer, and other health problems by 20-30%.
Good things happen as soon as you stop. You’ll breathe easier, save money, smell better, sleep better, and have more energy for activities that ease stress and bring you joy. If you’re pregnant, your baby will be healthier. You’ll also be protecting your health and protecting your family and friends from secondhand smoke.
Want to Know More?
Some Veterans wonder if smoking alternatives, such as vaping or using e-cigarettes, are safer than using tobacco. These products and devices still have risks to your health and can cause harm to your body. We are still learning about the short and long-term health effects of e-cigarettes on people of all ages.
Your VA health care team can provide proven, safe, and effective treatments for stopping tobacco. Behavioral counseling and the use of FDA-approved tobacco cessation medications work together to help you stop for good. Whether it’s your first time trying to stop or if you’ve struggled before with stopping, your VA health care team is ready to provide helpful tips, tools, and encouragement.
Resources
- VHA tobacco cessation resources:
- VHA National Tobacco Cessation Quitline for Veterans: 1-855-QUIT VET (1-855-784-8838). Counseling is available Monday through Friday from 9 am to 9 pm ET.
- SmokefreeVET: Text the word ‘VET’ to 47848 from your mobile phone or visit https://veterans.smokefree.gov/ to sign up for the SmokeFreeVET text messaging system.
- SmokefreeVET en español — Envíe un mensaje de texto con la palabra "VETESP" al 47848 desde su teléfono móvil o visite https://veterans.smokefree.gov/tools-tips-vet/smokefreevetesp para acceder al sistema de mensajes de texto SmokeFreeVET.
- Stay Quit Coach—a free mobile app to support quitting smoking and staying quit. Available at: https://mobilehealth.va.gov/app/stay-quit-coach
- Stress Management Support Resources
- Veterans Health Library: https://www.veteranshealthlibrary.va.gov/
