ALERT: Read this before using sunscreen!

Q:

I’ve tried to quit smoking unsuccessfully multiple times, but the threat of COVID-19 is making me want to try again. What do you recommend I try?

A:

Kudos to you for making the effort! Smoking puts you at a high risk for a variety of health concerns, including heart disease and lung problems, but quitting can reverse all of these negative effects. In fact, research in the journal Nature found that kicking the habit, no matter how long you’ve been smoking, stops further damage and allows your lungs to grow new, healthy cells in your airways.

And healthy lungs are key to protecting you against viruses like COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.

I advise trying a mindfulness app geared specifically to smoking cessation, like Craving To Quit. The app, which was developed by Yale University scientists, offers a threeweek program that includes videos, animations and an online support group to help users quit smoking— and it works: In a Yale study used to test the app, 36% of users kicked the habit in one month, and 31% were still smoke-free three months later. Another study at Brown University found that smokers who used a mindfulness app smoked an average of 11 fewer cigarettes per day after a month, and some users had quit smoking completely. This approach works by reducing activity in the area of the brain that triggers cravings.

For a low-tech way to get the benefits of these apps, try using the two-minute STOP mindfulness method the next time a craving hits. To do: Stop what you’re doing. Take a deep breath. Observe your environment and find something to be grateful for. Finally, Proceed with something that will help you in the moment, like taking a coffee break or calling a friend.