Overcoming the hardest new year resolution: quitting smoking or vaping

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - While it is often one of the most popular resolutions, quitting smoking and vaping is also among the most difficult.

The American Lung Association says that for people who decide to quit smoking or vaping abruptly, the average success rate is 4-7%.

“Understand that there is going to be moments where you are going to be tempted,” said Lake Charles Memorial Pulmonologist John Bercier. “There are going to be moments where you fail and to forgive yourself, but also do not lift your eyes from the prize. If you make the gym six days out of seven, it’s still commendable.”

For Josephine Cudd, the journey to quitting was not easy. She says she tried to quit multiple times in the past, but she kept going back to smoking.

“When you quit, you tend to be very angry,” says Cudd. “You lash out a lot and that is one of the withdrawal symptoms from not having this addictive chemical in your body anymore. Your body will try to act out and get it back,”

In Sept. 2024, Cudd says she and her husband Devlin both decided to quit smoking for good.

“We have been through a lot together and I love having him on this journey with me, that we could have done this together,” says Cudd.

Bercier says that support is crucial in the journey, whether it be a loved one or a friend. He also says another motivating factor is to think about the potential future that lies ahead.

“If you are someone who has a mindset for the future, think where is this going to lead me in the future, and there is no better time to start than today,” says Bercier.

Cudd described what her future holds now.

“I want to be someone that my daughter looks up to and is proud of, like i said, its going to be a difficult and long journey, but it is going to be so worth it in the end to prove to your family that hey, if i can overcome this, who knows what i can overcome,” said Cudd.

Bercier says quitting smoking improves your health and reduces your risk of heart disease, cancer, lung disease and other smoking-related illnesses.