Spring is a Breath of Fresh Air

As spring brings fresh air and new beginnings, it’s the perfect time to embrace a healthier lifestyle by quitting tobacco use. Tobacco remains the leading preventable cause of disease, disability, and death in the United States, negatively affecting nearly every organ in the body. However, quitting is possible at any age, and the benefits are immediate and long-lasting.
Every time you choose not to smoke, you add valuable time to your life:
• Each cigarette you skip adds 11 minutes to your life.
• Each pack of cigarettes you avoid adds 3.5 hours to your life.
• A week’s worth of cigarettes you don’t smoke adds a full day to your life.
• Overall, quitting tobacco can increase your lifespan by 14 years.
Beyond personal health benefits, quitting smoking also contributes to cleaner, safer environments for everyone. Expanding tobacco-free spaces ensures that fewer people are exposed to harmful secondhand smoke and vaping aerosols, making public places healthier for all.
Five Things to Know About Quitting Tobacco
1. Quitting May Not Be as Hard as You Think
Tackling nicotine addiction can be challenging, but with proper education, support, and medication, success is possible. The majority of smokers benefit from assistance, such as counseling from a healthcare provider or using resources like the New York State Quitline (1-800-NY-QUITS). These support systems can make quitting easier, less stressful, and more successful.
2. Quitting Improves Overall Health and Self-Esteem
People who quit often experience a newfound sense of achievement, leading them to take on new challenges, such as increased physical activity, traveling, or even training for marathons. Over time, the body heals itself, leading to better breathing, increased energy, and a reduced risk of chronic illnesses like heart disease and cancer.
3. Trying Is the First Step
Most smokers do not quit on their first attempt. In fact, it can take an average of five to seven tries before successfully quitting for good. Instead of seeing a slip-up as a failure, think of it as a learning experience. Adjusting your approach and seeking additional support can ultimately lead to long-term success.
4. After You Quit, You’ll Be Able to Relax More Easily
Many people believe smoking helps them manage stress, but in reality, nicotine addiction creates a cycle of withdrawal and craving that increases anxiety. Once you quit, your body stabilizes, and healthier stress-relief options—like exercise, deep breathing, and meditation—become more effective.

5. Air is the Only Healthy Alternative
Cigars, hookah, pipes, and smokeless tobacco all contain toxic, cancer-causing agents similar to cigarettes. Even electronic cigarettes, often marketed as a safer alternative, release harmful chemicals and can damage the lungs. The best choice for your health and the health of those around you is to remain tobacco-free.
Making More Spaces Tobacco-Free
While quitting tobacco is a personal journey, communities play a crucial role in supporting a tobacco-free lifestyle. Some communities have expanded their tobacco-free policies in public spaces, reducing exposure to harmful chemicals and encouraging individuals to quit.
Some key areas where tobacco-free policies are being adopted include:
Public parks and recreational areas – Protecting children, families, and wildlife from exposure to cigarette waste and secondhand smoke.
Beaches and outdoor venues – Keeping outdoor spaces clean and reducing toxic cigarette litter. Workplaces and businesses – Supporting employee wellness and productivity by eliminating exposure to tobacco-related toxins. Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing-Preventing drifting tobacco-smoke from entering units and impacting air quality, especially for those with asthma, compromised immune systems or children whose lungs are still developing.
How You Can Help Create a Tobacco-Free Future
Individuals and communities can raise awareness among elected officials and community leaders about the dangers of tobacco use and secondhand smoke, and encouraging and supporting loved ones to quit.
As spring begins, now is the perfect time to embrace fresh air, healthy habits, and tobacco-free living. Whether you’re quitting for yourself, your family, or your community, every step toward a smoke-free life brings long-lasting benefits.

PJ Tedeschi, LCSW
Director, Tobacco Action Coalition of LI

Christine Fardellone, DNP, RN
Northwell Health Center for Tobacco Control
NYS DOH BTC HS TFNY