Tobacco Cessation

One of the hardest things to do is to quit using tobacco. Tobacco contains hundreds of chemical compounds, many of which are known to be harmful to our health, including nicotine. Nicotine is highly addictive, making it challenging to quit. Over time, tobacco users become physically and emotionally addicted to nicotine. 

Additional barriers to quitting tobacco include fear of withdrawal, stress, others in the house that smoke, weight gain, and fear of failure. Smokers must address both their physical and psychological dependency to quit and stay a non-smoker.

Quitting tobacco can be a challenging process and sometimes it takes more than one try. Even though it can be scary to make the decision to quit smoking, it’s the right choice for your health, your mind, and your body. 

If you are ready to quit tobacco for good, explore these tools to find one for you.

Maine QuitLink

Maine QuitLink and 1-800-QUIT-NOW

Healthy Acadia promotes the use of the Maine QuitLink as an excellent resource to support people in the quitting process. Your call to the QuitLink can be an important first step to help you along the journey of quitting or to help you support a loved one to become tobacco-free.

The Maine QuitLink is a free service that answers your questions and offers friendly support to those who are thinking about quitting, who are ready to quit, or who want to help a friend or family member quit. The Maine QuitLink provides tobacco users counseling by phone, digital support and when appropriate, provides medication support. Make the call that can help you or those you love to stay tobacco-free for life.

Freshstart® Tobacco Cessation Program

Freshstart is a nicotine treatment program developed by the American Cancer Society. Healthy Acadia offers this program FREE OF CHARGE for groups or individuals in Hancock County, either in person or virtually, and virtually in Washington County. 

Nicotine is highly addictive, making it challenging to quit. Over time, people become physically and emotionally addicted to nicotine and must address both their physical and psychological dependency to stop using and stay quit. Fear of withdrawal, stress, others in the house who smoke, fear of weight gain and fear of failure may create additional barriers to quitting. Freshstart is the first step toward living free of nicotine. Classes typically meet once a week for four weeks but schedules are flexible to meet participants’ needs. Sessions focus on topics such as:

  • What do I need to know about quitting?   

  • How is nicotine addictive?

  • How do I deal with nicotine withdrawal?            

  • How do I handle setbacks and challenges to quitting and staying quit?

Classes are informal, engaging and interactive. Participants in groups often bond with each other and provide helpful support during the quitting process. Facilitators honor and respect individual choices around cutting back uses of nicotine and quitting. We always meet participants where they are at to provide support and information with respect.  


Even though it can be scary to make the decision to quit, quitting now is the right choice for your physical and emotional health. We want to help people quit tobacco and stay quit!


At Healthy Acadia, we are your health partner every step of the way. If you’re interested in referring a patient or client or learning more about the quitting process and the free four-week Freshstart program, please call (207) 667-7171 or email tara@healthyacadia.org for more information.

More Tobacco Cessation Tips

Why Do You Want to Quit? Identify your motivation or reasons to quit and write them down. Place your notes in visible places, especially spots where you typically smoked. They’ll serve as a visual reminder not to light up.

Set the Date. Pick a date on your calendar to become a non-smoker – and stick to it.

Ask for support. Family, friends, spouse, significant others, co-workers – tell them about your plan to quit smoking and ask for support. Better yet – ask them to join you! Accountability partners can help you to stick with quitting.

Fight the urge. If you have an urge to smoke, wait just 10 minutes. The urge will pass.

Ask for help. Make an appointment with your doctor to discuss medication to help you quit. Your doctor can write you a prescription for over-the-counter medications like patches and gum. In the state of Maine, major medical insurance carriers and Medicaid will pay for many tobacco cessation medications.