Tips to help seniors stamp out smoking habit for good

Dear Savvy Senior: I understand that COVID-19 hits smokers a lot harder than nonsmokers, but quitting at my age is difficult. Does Medicare offer any coverage that helps beneficiaries quit smoking? — Must Quit

Dear Must: Smokers and vapers have a higher risk of severe COVID-19 infection, as the coronavirus attacks the lungs. That’s why quitting now is more important than ever. Beneficiaries will be happy to know that Medicare Part B covers up to eight face-to-face counseling sessions a year to help you quit smoking. If you have a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, certain smoking-cessation medications are covered, too.

Here are some other tips that can help you kick the habit.

Never too late

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that 12.5 percent of Medicare beneficiaries smoke. Many older smokers indicate that they would like to quit, but because of the nicotine, which is extremely addictive, it’s difficult to do. Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable illness, responsible for an estimated one-fifth of deaths in the United States each year.

Smokers and vapers have a higher risk of severe COVID-19 infection, as the coronavirus attacks the lungs. That’s why quitting now is more important than ever.

But research shows that quitting, even after age 65, greatly reduces your risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, osteoporosis and COVID-19. It also helps you breathe easier, smell and taste food better, and saves you quite a bit of money. A $6 pack-a-day smoker, for example, saves about $180 after one month without cigarettes, and nearly $2,200 after one year.

How to quit

The first step is to set a “quit date,” but give yourself a few weeks to get ready. During that time, you may want to start by reducing the number or the strength of cigarettes you smoke to begin weaning off the nicotine.

Check out over-the-counter nicotine replacement products — patches, gum and lozenges — to help curb your cravings.

Just before your quit day, get rid of all cigarettes and ashtrays in your home, car and anywhere else you smoke, clean the areas and even spray air freshener. The smell of smoke can be a powerful trigger.

Get help

Studies have shown that you have a much better chance of quitting if you have help. Tell your friends, family and coworkers of your plan.

Then get some counseling. Don’t go it alone. Start by contacting your doctor about smoking-cessation counseling covered by Medicare and find out about prescription antismoking drugs that can help reduce your nicotine craving.

Free one-on-one telephone counseling and referrals to local smoking-cessation programs are available through your state quit line at 800-QUIT-NOW, or the National Cancer Institute smoking quit line at 877-44U-QUIT.

It’s also important to identify and write down the times and situations when you’re most likely to smoke and make a list of things you can do to replace it or distract yourself. Some suggestions when the smoking urge arises are to call a friend or one of the free quit lines; keep your mouth occupied with sugar-free gum, sunflower seeds, carrots, fruit or hard candy; go for a walk; read; listen to music or take a hot bath.

The intense urge to smoke lasts about three to five minutes, so do what you can to wait it out. It’s also wise to avoid drinking alcohol and steer clear of other smokers while you’re trying to quit. Both can be powerful triggers.

For more tips on how to quit, including managing your cravings, withdrawal symptoms and what to do if you relapse, visit 60plus. Smokefree.gov. There are also a variety of helpful quit smoking apps you can download — like SmokeFreeapp.com and Quitgenius.com.