New Year, New You: A Fresh Start to Breathe Easier
By Anissa Adams, Community Engagement Coordinator at The SOL Project
A new year often feels like a fresh start. Many people set goals like going to the gym, eating better, or getting more sleep. One goal that can make a big difference is quitting smoking or vaping.
Smoking harms more than just the person who smokes. Every year, many people in the United States die because of tobacco. Breathing in secondhand smoke also hurts people nearby, including children, family members, and friends. This means smoke affects our whole community, not just one person.
Even if you do not smoke, you can still help. You can start kind and respectful conversations with people you care about. Support does not mean judging. It means listening.
A Conversation Without Judgment
I had a dinner conversation with two close friends who have been vaping for many years. I wanted the talk to feel safe and honest. Before we talked, I thought about what I wanted to learn. I asked myself a few simple questions:
- What helped them start vaping?
- What do they know about how smoking and vaping harm the body?
- How does vaping make them feel about their health?
- If they want to quit, what kind of help would feel best?
My goal was not to force change. I wanted them to feel informed and supported. I also wanted them to know I would be there for them, whenever they felt ready.
By the end of the conversation, one friend shared something powerful. They said they realized there might never be a perfect time to quit. Stress and excuses always show up. Change has to start from the inside.
Turning Support Into Action
When I saw their new desire to quit, I offered a challenge. If they gave me their vapes, I would trade them for a smoke-free quitting device. I also asked them to sign up for Kick It California, a free quit support program, and follow a plan for one month. If they did, our next dinner would be on me.
This idea may not work for everyone, and rewards are not always needed. But in this case, encouragement helped. They agreed and took their first steps toward a smoke-free life.
What Is the Tobacco Endgame?
Quitting is not just a personal choice. Communities are also working toward something called the tobacco endgame. The endgame means creating a future where fewer people start smoking and more people can quit. It focuses on health, not punishment. It does not mean blaming or arresting people who smoke. It means changing systems so tobacco is less available and less harmful to everyone.
Get Involved With Saving Our Legacy
Saving Our Legacy, African Americans for Smoke Free Safe Places works to protect the health of African American communities and all people who are harmed by tobacco. Volunteers can help in many ways:
- Share information at community events
- Support smoke-free policies
- Help with outreach, education, or storytelling
- Encourage friends and family to use quit resources
If you want to quit, or help someone else quit, support is available. Small steps matter. Kind conversations matter. Community action matters.
Let 2026 be the year we breathe easier together.
Learn more or get involved: thesolproject.com
Chat with a KickItCA Quit Coach for help to #quittobacco & #nicotine.
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