Global Action Community Newsletter
You’re making progress.
If you resolved to quit smoking in 2025, congratulations on taking a major positive step for your health! If you resolved to quit but find that at this point, you’ve gone back to cigarettes – congratulations are still in order. Even if this quit attempt didn’t work out the way you wanted it to, every quit attempt matters.
Quitting smoking can be difficult. Research shows that many people who smoke try to quit a number of times before they are successful. In addition to the physical addiction to nicotine, many people feel that smoking helps them cope with stress and anxiety. (In reality, quitting actually lowers long-term stress levels.)
If you haven’t yet quit permanently, we at Global Action to End Smoking are here to tell you that it’s okay. This doesn’t mean that you’ve failed, or that you’re a failure. Every quit attempt is part of your journey to moving away from cigarettes.
Start by taking a deep breath as you read this. It’s okay to feel disappointed, angry, or frustrated. But criticizing yourself will not get you any closer to your goal. Instead, take a minute to feel proud that you’re trying to make a positive change in your life.
Submit a question on the latest quitting research, and we may answer it in an upcoming newsletter.
Once you’re in a clear headspace, consider the circumstances that led you to go back to cigarettes. Were you in a setting that often triggers you to smoke, like being around a certain group of people, or in a certain location? What were you feeling when you finally decided to smoke again? Answering these questions for yourself will help you avoid these circumstances in the future, which could prolong the time you stay away from cigarettes.
There are many tools to help you quit smoking. Consider which ones you’ve tried: Did you use a traditional nicotine replacement therapy, like gum or the patch? Did you work with your health care provider to try one of the prescription drugs that can help the process? Or have you tried an alternative, reduced-risk nicotine product, like an e-cigarette or nicotine pouch?
Every quit attempt teaches you something about yourself and what doesn’t work for you. It doesn’t matter how others quit; the best way you can quit is the way that works for you.
Remember: You’re not alone in this. You’re in the company of millions of adults around the world who are trying to quit. And there’s no need to wait until the next new year to try again. Any day is a great day to quit smoking.
All my best,
Erik Augustson, PhD, MPH, FSBAM
VP of Programs
Global Action to End Smoking
By the Numbers
mg
The amount of nicotine in each cigarette under a new proposal by U.S. regulators. Currently, popular cigarettes contain an average of 17.2 mg of nicotine.
If the rule is finalized, the U.S. would be the first country to limit nicotine to non-addictive levels in cigarettes. Health authorities estimate that up to 12.9 million cigarette smokers would quit in a year if the rule goes into effect.
“My fingers are crossed that [federal health authorities] will see the value of doing this in a comprehensive way and support the nicotine reduction policy,” Cliff Douglas, CEO of Global Action to End Smoking, told STAT News.
Read the full story here.
You asked, Global action answers:
Emmanuel from Nigeria asks: I’ve been smoking in social settings for more than 30 years now and have not been able to quit. Do you have any suggestions?
Many smokers find that one of the main situations they light up is when they’re with family or friends who also smoke. In fact, there are some people who only smoke in social settings, like when at parties or out at bars. This can lead to concerns that if they quit smoking, they will be left out of spending time with their social circles.
The good news is, it’s possible to quit without losing friends. First, consider sharing with others that you are trying to quit with a concrete reason of why this is important goal for you. Your peers may be excited to support you, and remembering the reason for this goal will help you ground you when you are tempted to smoke in the future.
You may want to take some time away from circumstances where people are smoking to reduce temptations and cravings, especially when you’re starting out. Try suggesting alternative activities for you and your friends to do instead.
If that isn’t an option, consider using any smoking cessation aids — like a patch, gum, or reduced-risk nicotine device like an e-cigarette — before you head out to join others. This tactic can give you a head start on facing possible cravings.
Let us know how these tips work for you. Remember, every attempt you make is a win and brings you closer to achieving your goal.
—Erik Augustson, PhD, MPH, FSBAM
VP of Programs
To learn more about all the ways you can quit, visit our page For Adults Who Smoke
Tobacco and health around the world
Country snapshot: Chile
In 2022, 25.9% of Chile’s population used cigarettes, with males (28.3%) having a slightly higher prevalence compared to females (23.6%). Tobacco was responsible for an estimated 7.1 thousand deaths, which is about 13.6% of total deaths.
- In 2022, prevalence of daily smoking in Chile was 17.7% (17.9% males and 17.5% females) for those aged 12 to 64 years. This marks a notable decrease of 1.8 percentage points from 19.5% (20.1% males and 19% females) in 2020. In 2022, 2.6% of youths aged 12 to 18 years were daily smokers.
- In 2022, 1% of adults (1.4% males and 0.5% females) aged 15 to 64 years in Chile were reported as current e-cigarette users. In the same year, 0.6% of adults (0.9% males and 0.3% females) reported using e-cigarettes daily.
For references and to view other country profiles, visit our pages on
Thank you for your support
Give the gift of a healthier tomorrow.
As the new year begins, it’s the perfect time to embrace fresh starts and renewed hope. Whether you’re staying strong on your resolution or finding your way back after a setback, Global Action to End Smoking is here to support those striving for a healthier, smoke-free life.
Your donation helps empower those making the courageous choice to live without cigarettes, providing the tools, resources, and community they need to succeed.
Every gift counts. Join us in supporting those striving for a healthier, happier future.
Thank you for your support in the fight against smoking.
Get to Know Global Action
Global Action has awarded more than 175 grants to institutions that support the work of over 100 scientists, covering 46 countries on four continents.
Our organization is an independent, U.S. nonprofit 501(c)(3) grantmaking organization whose mission is to end combustible tobacco use, which remains the leading preventable cause of death globally. Through September 2023, Global Action received charitable gifts from PMI Global Services Inc. Global Action does not seek or accept funding from companies that produce tobacco or non-medicinal nicotine products.
To learn more about our work, visit our website.
Disclaimer: This newsletter does not provide medical advice. The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained in this newsletter are for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. No material in this newsletter is intended to be a substitute for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician or other qualified health care provider. Always seek the advice of your licensed physician or other qualified health care provider regarding a medical condition or with any questions you may have regarding treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you read in this newsletter. No physician-patient relationship is created by this newsletter. Global Action doesn’t make representations, express or implied, with respect to the information provided here.