Many Veterans Can’t Stop Smoking. Here Are Tips on How You Can Quit

Amid a steep national decline in smoking, veterans remain stubborn. It doesn’t need to be that way

Photo: Plainpicture

Alexandra Frost,

AARP Veteran Report

Published February 09, 2023

Around 11 percent of Americans smoke cigarettes — a new low for the country — but veterans are almost twice as likely to be smokers.

Getty Images/AARP

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The adverse health effects of smoking are incontrovertible, with more than 16 million Americans living with a serious disease caused by cigarettes. Many smokers want to give up but struggle to do so. Here are some pointers on how you could quit.

Build a support system

If you wanted to train for a marathon, you wouldn’t likely go at it alone. The same is true for smoking. QuitLogix is a program by Denver-based National Jewish Health that operates “quitlines” in 21 states.

You can receive phone and online coaching methods and materials as part of the program by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW. You can expect to set a quit date, tell others about it, prepare for triggers and get back on track after slips.

Use a virtual coach

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers SmokefreeVET, a program in which you can sign up for mobile reminders and challenges to keep you on track through your journey to quit. You’ll receive text messages such as: “Cravings can be triggered by seeing other people smoking. Spend time in places where smoking isn’t allowed.”

You’ll also work through daily challenges, such as one that pushes you to delay your first cigarette by an hour. You can text keywords like “crave” or “mood” or “slip” to receive messages tailored to your current situation.

Consider medication

Medications can help.“We always recommend someone use quit medications, such as nicotine patches or prescription drugs, to get through the nicotine withdrawal and cravings,” Thomas Ylioja, a tobacco cessation specialist at National Jewish Health, told AARP Veteran Report.

But medications work best in combination with a quit plan. “Remember the psychological side of smoking can be just as strong as the physical cravings,” Ylioja added. “When you combine medications with talking to a professional support person, your chances of quitting for good are much higher.”

Mindset

For family physician Chris Scuderi, one of the “greatest frustrations” when he was serving as a Navy medical officer was that there was a smoking deck that sailors could use several times per day, but there was no “fresh air break” deck. This meant sailors could stop working to smoke while others kept toiling.

“I always felt this portrayed smoking as a positive habit when deployed,” Scuderi, now a primary care physician in Florida, told AARP Veteran Report.

“A lot of veterans who smoke started when they first enlisted, and so smoking is part of their military or veteran identity,” Ylioja said.“Giving up smoking can feel like losing a part of who you are or were.”

There is no easy answer to this, but one approach is to focus on nostalgia and other aspects of service, like time outdoors or exercise, rather than smoking. Or turn fond memories of the past to the present, as this anti-smoking ad does.

“Try to find something that motivates you to be healthy — a family member, a trip, a longtime goal, your faith, a friend … and hold on to that ‘why,’ ” Scuderi said.

Tackle obstacles in your way

Quitting isn’t always just about motivation and willpower. Addiction, anxiety and self-isolation are additional barriers that can make quitting difficult.

“Many vets may have some PTSD symptoms, which can manifest as avoidance and hypervigilance. These veterans tend to isolate, and many people who isolate smoke as a way to pass the time,” Scuderi added. “Talk to your primary care physician honestly about your symptoms. There are many great resources and communities out there to support veterans that were not there previously. Often, the hardest step is asking for help.”

Aim for improvement, not perfection

Quitting might seem daunting. Instead, you can try smoking less. “Keep trying. Every day is a gift, and each day is new,” Scuderi said. “Try to be a little better today than you were yesterday.”