Help available to quit tobacco

For the first time, the adult smoking rate in the United States has dropped into the single digits. In 2024 approximately 1-in-10 U.S. adults (9.9%) reported current cigarette smoking. Even still, smoking and tobacco use remain a major public health concern.

While these national statistics are encouraging, they often mask a more complex reality in the local community. Anazao Community Partners and other community providers recognize the journey to quitting tobacco is rarely just about physical habit; it is deeply intertwined with emotional and mental resilience.

For many navigating anxiety, depression or the complexities of recovery, tobacco has often served as a “fake friend,” a temporary coping mechanism that, in reality, complicates long-term wellness.

Research consistently shows individuals living with behavioral health challenges smoke at higher rates and for longer periods, not because they lack the desire to quit, but because the hurdles are often higher. Tobacco use can interfere with the effectiveness of certain medications and can heighten the very symptoms of stress people are trying to soothe.

This is why tobacco cessation is a part of Anazao's mission to meet the behavioral health needs of Holmes and Wayne counties. Anazao and its partners, like OneEighty, The Counseling Center and Catholic Charities, believe in treating the whole person, not just a set of symptoms. When an individual chooses to break free from nicotine, they are doing more than just improving their lung health; they are reclaiming their autonomy, improving their brain’s ability to regulate stress and building a more durable footing for their mental health recovery.

If the idea of quitting feels overwhelming, remember you do not have to navigate it alone. At Anazao case managers and therapists are there to walk alongside you. They can help you manage the emotional triggers that lead to tobacco use and help you integrate cessation goals into your overall wellness plan. They see quitting not as a loss of a habit, but as a significant gain for your future and your family.

To quit smoking, you also can consider calling the Ohio Tobacco Quitline. The Ohio Tobacco Quitline is free for all Ohioans, regardless of insurance coverage. Once enrolled, you will have multiple one-on-one coaching sessions with a trained coach. Coaches collaborate with you to develop and succeed with your quit plan. Online resources include self-paced content, a personalized dashboard and group coaching sessions.

Coaches also are available by phone, text or online chat whenever extra support may be needed. Nicotine replacement therapy is available to help ease cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Participants also can choose between nicotine replacement patches, lozenges or gum. Using both coaching and medication can double your chances of successfully quitting. To enroll in the Ohio Tobacco Quitline, visit www.ohioquits.org or call 1-800-784-8669.

Written by Mark Woods of Anazao Community Partners and Kelly Dremann of the Holmes County General Health District.