Friday, Nov. 17 marks the annual Great American Smokeout Day. If you’ve considered quitting, now might be the time to mark your calendar. Making a plan can greatly increase your chances of success. Each year, countless deaths could be prevented if people just heeded warnings and took better care of themselves. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tobacco use is the single most preventable risk to human health in developed countries. Despite that, many people continue to smoke, knowing full well the numerous negative consequences that come with such a choice. Part of what makes smoking such a difficult thing to kick is tobacco’s addictive qualities, most notably the highly addictive stimulant nicotine. Overcoming the addictive powers of nicotine is a battle most people feel they can’t win. Though quitting smoking is no easy task, it can be done. The CDC offers these tips for quitting a habit that could one day take your life. Go all in. Smoking just a few cigarettes a day is still very dangerous to your health. Reducing the amount of cigarettes but not stopping entirely can (and likely will) mean you’ll eventually end up smoking more and more. Many people also feel as though “low-nicotine” or “low-tar” cigarettes will be enough as well. Simply put, they won’t. Oftentimes, people who try this approach simply end up craving more nicotine, and smoking more of these “lower octane” cigarettes than they had originally planned. When you’ve decided to quit, realize that quitting means no more cigarettes at all. Understand the commitment. Thanks to the addictive properties of nicotine, quitting smoking can be as difficult as giving up alcohol or hard drugs. Some might say it is even harder, as people around you might smoke or might not see quitting for the difficult task it is. Understand that the desire to smoke will still be there. Nicotine withdrawal can make you moody and leave you craving a cigarette. Know ahead of time that these negatives will be a big part of the process. However, realize that over time, these withdrawal symptoms will begin to weaken so long as your willpower holds up. Recognize you’re not alone. Chances are, you know someone who has already quit smoking. Regardless of how much they used to smoke, quitting is difficult whether they smoked four cigarettes a day or four packs a day. But the CDC points out that half of all adult smokers have quit smoking, meaning anyone can do it, it just takes motivation and effort. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you feel you need it. Quitting smoking, no matter how long you’ve been smoking or how much you smoke, is still a great way to ensure a healthier future.