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How Long Do New Year’s Resolutions Last to Quit Smoking?

How Long Do New Year’s Resolutions Last to Quit Smoking?

Just how long do New Year’s resolutions to quit smoking last?

When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, quit smoking is often right up there in the top 5. And it’s likely that for 2022, “quit smoking” may even get bumped up a few notches, considering that the pandemic caused some who used tobacco to lean on it more heavily for comfort. And among those who know tobacco use can cause adverse outcomes with COVID-19, this may be a motivator for them to want quit.

Despite being a top resolution, however, it’s also quick to be abandoned. Much like every year, people will probably blame their lack of willpower, even though statistics on the effectiveness of powering through quitting without support offer little promise.

Enough. We need to help people quit, but we also need to stop asking them to use willpower to do it. Instead, there are better ways that actually work.

Check out these videos from a real smoker to see what quitting tobacco is truly like, and what’s possible when people succeed.

Meet EX Community member Jon

EX Community member Jon, a smoker for 20 years, talks about why he started and how he got hooked. (2:08)

Hear Jon talk about what it’s like to quit. (1:49)

Jon shares how EX gave him the community support he needed to quit. (2:06)

Discover the benefits Jon sees now as an EX-smoker. (2:19)

How to help New Year’s resolutions to quit smoking become a reality

Resolutions can be helpful, because they bring more awareness to the behaviors we’d like to change. But making a promise, and white-knuckling through those shifts, simply don’t work. Fortunately, like Jon, we know what does—the right tools, the right community, and the right support.

Tobacco cessation doesn’t just affect those who are struggling with addiction, it can have a beneficial ripple effect across families and workplaces.

This year, let’s resolve to work together to keep each other healthy. Learn more about the EX Program by visiting our program page or contact us for a demo.


Jessie Saul, Ph.D.

Director, Strategic Insights

Dr. Jessie Saul brings 19 years of experience in research, program evaluation, and strategic implementation around tobacco cessation. She applies this deep understanding to improve EX Program performance and reduce tobacco use among populations. She earned her Ph.D. in Science and Technology Studies from Cornell University.

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