Search Search
  • For Members
  • For Providers
  • For Agents
  • Sign In
    • Member Portal
    • Provider Portal
    • Agent Portal

Call a Licensed Aspire Health Sales Agent
(866) 798-1530
TTY users dial 711

  • Call a Licensed Aspire Health Plan Sales Agent (866) 798-1530 TTY users dial 711
  • Shop Plans
    • Compare Plans
      • Plan Comparison Tool – Compare Plans Side-By-Side
      • Attend a Seminar
    • About Aspire Health Plans
      • Why Aspire Health?
      • Our Service Area
      • 2025 Plan Documents
    • Plan Benefits
      • Health and Wellness Benefits
      • 2025 Benefit Highlights (English)
      • 2025 Benefit Highlights (Español)
  • Medicare Basics
    • Medicare Overview and Basics
      • Attend a Seminar
      • Medicare Overview
      • Medicare Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
    • Medicare Enrollment Information
      • Am I Eligible for Medicare?
      • Medicare Enrollment Periods
    • Additional Medicare Details and Resources
      • My Aspire Health Plan Rights
      • Our Blog
      • National Coverage Determinations
      • Additional Resources
      • Glossary of Terms
  • Find a Provider
  • Drug Coverage
    • 2025 Medication Look Up
    • Pharmacy Information
  • Contact
  • Enroll Now
  •  
  • For Members
  • For Providers
  • For Agents
  • Sign In
    • Member Portal
    • Provider Portal
    • Agent Portal
  • Menu Menu
You are here: Home1 / Our Blog2 / Your Health and Wellness3 / How to create a plan to quit smoking

How to create a plan to quit smoking

Your Health and Wellness

The decision to quit smoking is important for good health. Many of us know smoking can cause health problems like cancer, heart disease, stroke, and lung diseases. And, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), people who smoke cigarettes are 30%–40% more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than people who don’t.

With these factors in mind, it’s easy to understand why it’s important to quit smoking. But it can also be hard! Try following these steps to create a plan to quit for good.

Find inspiration and motivation to quit smoking

Before making a change to your lifestyle, it’s important to feel inspired. You’ll need a compelling motivation to remember whenever you face challenges.

According to Smokefree.gov, a few possible reasons to quit smoking include:

  • You’re concerned about your health.
  • You want to improve relationships with family and friends.
  • Your doctor has suggested quitting.
  • You’re trying to save money.
  • You want to set a good example for others.
  • Quitting can help you regain a sense of control.

Find an idea that resonates with you by journaling or reading a list of reasons to quit smoking to remind yourself of your motivation as you go through the process.

Pick a date to quit smoking

Rather than quitting cold turkey, try setting a date two weeks in the future to allow time to prepare. The CDC also suggests avoiding workdays or other days when you may be stressed or tempted to smoke. Write your quit date somewhere you’ll see it every day so that you’re reminded of your decision.

Rally your support system

As the CDC says, quitting will be easier with the support of your family and friends. Let the important people in your life know when and why you’ll be quitting. It may also be helpful to take advantage of support from experts like those at the Kick the Nic program provided by our partners at Montage Health or a Freedom from Smoking class at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital.

Identify smoking triggers

Certain feelings and activities “trigger” the urge to smoke. Write a list of everything that makes you feel like smoking and note how you can deal with or avoid each trigger. Smokefree.gov suggests some ideas to deal with your cravings like:

  • Taking 10 deep breaths
  • Getting exercise
  • Eating something crunchy
  • Going to a favorite place where smoking isn’t allowed

Reward yourself for a job well done

It’s important to celebrate the wins in your journey to quit smoking! Celebrate your first smoke-free day, week, month, and year with a fun activity like going to the movies or out to a nice dinner. Plan how you’ll celebrate your milestones ahead of time, so you have something to look forward to as you reach your goal.

The decision to stop smoking isn’t an easy one, but we hope these ideas help you feel confident that you can be successful.

H8764_MKT_ QuitSmokingPlan_Blog_0123_C

https://www.aspirehealthplan.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Quit-Smoking-Cover_20230125174200.jpeg 667 1000 Aspire Health Plan https://www.aspirehealthplan.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/aspire-health-plan.svg Aspire Health Plan2023-01-23 10:08:002023-12-11 20:41:01How to create a plan to quit smoking
You might also like
A Medicare Annual Wellness Visit vs. an Annual Physical Exam A Medicare Annual Wellness Visit vs. an annual physical exam
advance care planning Getting started with advance care planning
Tips for avoiding emotional eating
A caregiver's guide for Medicare AEP A caregiver’s guide for Medicare AEP
Aspire blog - Do you a need a primary care physician (PCP)? Do you a need a primary care physician (PCP) and why is this important?
Diabetes resources for seniors in Monterey County Diabetes resources for seniors in Monterey County
Aspire Blog - Learn about Medicare coverage options for seniors with diabetes Learn about Medicare coverage options for seniors with diabetes
SMART weight loss goals How to create SMART weight loss goals and achieve them

Categories

  • All About Medicare (46)
    • Choosing a Medicare plan (12)
    • Comparing Medicare options (10)
    • Making the most of your coverage (12)
    • Understanding what Medicare covers (11)
  • Aspire Health News and Updates (3)
  • Caregiver Resources (8)
  • Choose Happy (11)
  • Member Stories (3)
  • Partners in Health (13)
    • Blue Zones Project – Monterey County (5)
    • Meet the Population Health Team (6)
  • Turning 65? (19)
  • Your Health and Wellness (48)
    • Diabetes and diabetes prevention (6)
    • Exercise and fitness (5)
    • Food and nutrition (7)
    • Hearing health (6)
    • Heart health (3)
    • Managing your medications (3)
    • Mental health and wellbeing (6)
    • Oral and dental health (3)

Ready to Enroll?

Medicare is within reach and we are here to help. Call now to talk to a licensed sales agent.

(866) 798-1530 — TTY 711

Give Us a Call

Prospective Members
Toll-free: (866) 798-1530 (TTY 711)

Current Members
Toll-free: (855) 570-1600 (TTY 711)
Local: (831) 574-4938 (TTY 711)

We’re Here For You

Hours

October 1 to March 31
7 Days a Week
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. PT

April 1 to September 30
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. PT

Aspire Health | Medicare Advantage Plans

Presented by

Logos for Montage Health and Salinas Valley Health side-by-side
Search Search

Shop Plans

Plan Comparison Tool

Attend A Seminar

Why Aspire Health?

Our Service Area

2025 Plan Documents

Health and Wellness Benefits

Health and Wellness Program

Medicare Basics

Attend a Seminar

Medicare Overview

Medicare Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Am I Eligible for Medicare?

Medicare Enrollment Periods

My Aspire Health Plan Rights

Our Blog

National Coverage Determinations

Health Equity Analysis

Additional Resources

Glossary of Terms

Find A Provider

Pharmacy Information

2025 Medication Look Up

For Members

Member Portal

Pharmacy Benefit Portal

Online Payments

Member Newsletters

Coverage Decisions, Appeals and Grievances

Clinical Guidelines

Access Health Records

For Providers

Provider Portal

Authorization Request Form (PDF):  English  |  Español 

Contact Us

Join Our Team

Privacy Center

Multi-language Interpretation Services

Aspire Health is a Medicare Advantage HMO plan sponsor with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Aspire Health depends on contract renewal.

Medicare beneficiaries may also enroll in Aspire Health through the CMS Medicare Online Enrollment Center located at http://www.medicare.gov. Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. For accommodation of persons with special needs at meetings call 1-855-570-1600 (TTY: 711) Other Providers are available in our network. Out-of-network/non-contracted providers are under no obligation to treat Aspire Health members, except in emergency situations. Please call our customer service number or see your Evidence of Coverage for more information, including the cost-sharing that applies to out-of-network services. For a complete list of available plans please contact 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1- 877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov.

Some content on this page is saved in an alternative format. To view these files, download the following free software.

PDF Documents: Get Adobe® Reader®

© Copyright 2025 – Aspire Health – All rights reserved. H8764_WEB

Page last updated: December 11, 2023

Link to: What you need to know about over-the-counter hearing aids Link to: What you need to know about over-the-counter hearing aids What you need to know about over-the-counter hearing aids Link to: Understanding the Inflation Reduction Act: FAQs for Medicare beneficiaries Link to: Understanding the Inflation Reduction Act: FAQs for Medicare beneficiaries Happy couple high-fiving after learning how to save money with the Inflation Reduction ActUnderstanding the Inflation Reduction Act: FAQs for Medicare beneficiaries
Scroll to top

You are leaving aspirehealthplan.org

"
Cancel Continue