Reasons to Quit
Figuring out why you want to quit is the key to success.
It’s never too late to break the nicotine habit.
Nicotine Addiction
Nicotine Addiction
Tar, chemicals, and inhaling smoke aren't the only harms of using tobacco products. Nicotine in all forms is highly addictive and dangerous -especially for young people, pregnant women and their developing fetuses. Also, being dependent on nicotine can make recovery from substance use disorders, including alcohol, opioids, and illegal drugs more difficult.
Young people are especially at risk because:
- Nicotine can harm developing brains (brain development stops around age 25).
- Youth can show signs of nicotine addiction quickly, sometimes before the start of regular or daily use.
- Using nicotine before the age of 25 can harm parts of the brain that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control.
- Young people who use nicotine may be more likely to become addicted to other drugs later in life.
- Youth who vape may also be more likely to smoke cigarettes in the future.
Pregnant women and their developing fetuses are especially at risk because nicotine can cause:
- Birth defects
- Placental abruption
- Low birth weight
What happens when you quit nicotine?
Nicotine products are highly addictive and using them becomes more than just a habit, it becomes a physical need for nicotine. When you quit vaping, smoking, or dipping, your brain and body go through nicotine withdrawal. Nicotine withdrawal looks different for different people, but can include headaches, sadness, feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress. Research shows that quitting will make you feel better in the long run. Just remember that these feelings won’t last. Withdrawal WILL end and your nicotine-free life will begin.
Remember, it can take many tries before you quit for keeps. Don't give up: every try counts.
Get Inspired
Get Inspired
Once you've decided to quit, it helps to think of the reasons WHY you are quitting and remind yourself of them often. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Protect the Ones You Love
Secondhand smoke and vaping aerosols put everyone around you at risk. Secondhand smoke causes lung cancer and heart attacks in non-smokers, as well as health problems for babies and children. It can even cause cancer in pets who share your air. Vaping aerosols contain cancer-causing chemicals and heavy metals, and they can trigger severe asthma attacks that send people to the hospital.
Using nicotine while pregnant — especially smoking — is harmful for developing fetuses. It can result in birth defects, low-birth weight and the need for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) services.
- Live Healthy
The health benefits of quitting start immediately and just get better over time. Vaping and smoking cause lung damage and can weaken your immune system, making it harder to fight infections. Using smokeless tobacco products can cause tooth and gum diseases, as well as mouth and throat cancers. When you quit, your heart rate returns to normal, you breathe easier, your cough clears up, and you have more energy to do the things you love.
- After 24-48 hours, your blood pressure and carbon monoxide levels drop to that of a non-smoker.
- After 1-12 months, coughing and shortness of breath decrease.
- After 1-2 years, your risk of heart attack decreases sharply.
- After 5-10 years, your risk of stroke decreases and the additional risk of lung cancer is cut in half.
- After 15 years, your risk of coronary heart disease, pancreatic cancer, and oral cancer, drops to almost the level of someone who does not use tobacco.
How much does your habit cost you?
What tobacco or nicotine product do you use the most?
On average, how much dip do you use per day?
Your habit costs you:
$10.50 /week costs about the same as your morning coffee and a breakfast sandwich.
$45.63/month is more than the average monthly cost of three of the top media streaming services combined.
$547.50/year costs more than a weekend getaway to the beach.
Your habit costs you:
$21.00/week costs more than lunch out with co-workers.
$91.25/month is almost enough to cover monthly cell phone bill for a basic plan.
$1,095.00/year is more than the average cost of premium seating season tickets for a South Carolina minor league baseball team.
Your habit costs you:
$42.00/week is more than the average monthly cost of three of the top media streaming services combined.
$182.50/month is almost enough to cover the average monthly electric bill in South Carolina.
$2,190.00/year could buy you a new washer and dryer.
On average, how much chew do you use per day?
Your habit costs you:
$24.33/week could buy you a general admission ticket to one of South Carolina's local speedways.
$105.70/month costs more than a whole year of your favorite media streaming service.
$1,268.38/year is more than the average cost of a Caribbean cruise.
Your habit costs you:
$48.65/week is more than the average monthly cost of three of the top media streaming services combined.
$211.40/month is almost equal to the average monthly cost to fill your car's gas tank in South Carolina.
$2,536.75/year is more than the average annual cost for home electricity in South Carolina.
Your habit costs you:
$97.30/week costs more than dinner and a movie for two once a week.
$422.79/month is more than the average cost of taking your family to the fair.
$5,073.50/year costs more than a luxurious trip to Europe.
On average, how many cigarettes do you smoke per day?
Your habit costs you:
$26.29/week costs more than eating out for lunch once a week.
$113.91/month is more than the average monthly cost for a gym membership.
$1,366.93/year is more than the average cost of a Caribbean cruise.
Your habit costs you:
$52.43/week costs more than going out to dinner once a week.
$227.82/month is more than the average monthly cost to fill your car's gas tank in South Carolina.
$2,733.85/year is more than the average annual cost for home electricity in South Carolina.
Your habit costs you:
$104.86/week costs more than dinner and a movie for two once a week.
$455.64/month is more than the average cost for a month of groceries in South Carolina.
$5,467.70/year costs more than a luxurious trip to Europe.
How often do you refill/replace your vape/e-cigarette?
Your habit costs you:
$14.54/week costs more than a coffee and pastry once a week.
$63/month costs more than a new video game.
$756/year costs more than good seats at a concert or sporting event.
This is an estimate cost using nationwide averages. The type of device, frequency of use, and the e-liquid all impact the average cost of vaping.
Your habit costs you:
$29.08/week costs more than eating out for lunch once a week.
$126/month is more than the average monthly cell phone bill.
$1,512/year is more than the average cost of a Caribbean cruise.
This is an estimate cost using nationwide averages. The type of device, frequency of use, and the e-liquid all impact the average cost of vaping.
Your habit costs you:
$58.15/week costs more than going out to dinner once a week.
$252/month is more than the average monthly cost to fill your car's gas tank in South Carolina.
$3,024/year is more than the average cost of a Caribbean cruise – for two!
This is an estimate cost using nationwide averages. The type of device, frequency of use, and the e-liquid all impact the average cost of vaping.
Need more convincing?
Get details about why it's so important to quit now.
DPH Risks of Vaping
The long-term health effects of vaping are unknown, but we do know that youth e-cigarette and vape use has been declared an epidemic by the US Surgeon General.
Find information at Vaping | South Carolina Department of Public Health.
DPH Division of Tobacco Prevention & Control
Policy and program efforts to reduce the burden of tobacco use in South Carolina.
CDC Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking
Cigarette smoking harms nearly every organ of the body, causes many diseases, and harms the health of smokers in general. Quitting smoking can add years to your life.
Learn more about the Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking from the CDC.
CDC Health Effects of Vaping
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Any SC Healthy Connections Medicaid member can enroll with the SC Tobacco Quitline. In fact, the SC Tobacco Quitline originally began with Medicaid and uninsured population services. Talk to a coach and find the program that best meets your needs. Enroll and we will send a 2-week starter kit of non-prescription quit medications (gum, patch, or lozenge). You will need to talk to your SC Healthy Connections provider to keep using the right medication for you. Full benefit SC Healthy Connections Medicaid members can get any FDA-approved prescription and/or non-prescription quit medication with no copay. And your provider does not have to get prior authorization to prescribe these products for you. Be sure to let your coach know that you are a member of SC Healthy Connections Medicaid.
The SC Tobacco Quitline is open year-round: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are closed on:
- Independence Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- ½ day Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
- ½ day New Year’s Eve
- Late open on New Year’s Day (to help people with their resolution to live tobacco-free).
Our coaches are highly trained specialists who are passionate about supporting you on your journey to quit. Many of our coaches are successful quitters themselves who have counseling and behavioral health backgrounds. We never judge; we are here to help.
No health insurance? No problem –we can still help. We help all South Carolinians regardless of insurance status, but extra help is available for people who have no health insurance or who are "underinsured" with up to 5 coaching calls and, for most uninsured or underinsured participants, up to 12 weeks of free non-prescription quit medications.
Relapse is perfectly normal. Quitting is hard work, and the pull of nicotine addiction can be overpowering. No one knows this better than our coaches; talk to them so that they can help you overcome this hurdle. Your coach has a range of strategies and tools to help with slip-ups.
Be kind to yourself and remember that you are on a journey. Detours may happen along the way, but we are here to help you get back on track. Even if you relapse after your program has ended, just re-enroll. We'll pick up where we left off.
Nicotine in any form is not safe. It puts stress on your heart, increases mental stress, reduces effectiveness of mental and behavioral health medications, and causes addiction.
No. SC Tobacco Quitline services in South Carolina are completely free.
No, insurance isn't required for enrollment in the SC Tobacco Quitline. If your health insurance plan provides additional quit benefits, you may be referred to your health insurance provider. Follow up with your coach if you have more questions.