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Kicking the Habit: HIV and Smoking

for Veterans and the Public

Kicking the Habit: HIV and Smoking

Smoking cigarettes is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. And smoking is even worse for people with HIV than it is for people without HIV. Among persons living with HIV/AIDS, smoking is closely linked with heart disease and serious lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and asthma. It also is associated with several of types of cancer. Take a look at the HIV and Tobacco Use Fact Sheet to learn more.

Quitting smoking is a powerful way you can improve your health. VA has more tobacco use treatment options available to Veterans in VA care than ever before, including:

  • Tobacco cessation counseling and medications provided at all VA medical centers
  • Quit VET: VA's tobacco quitline, in English and Spanish. Call 1‑855‑QUIT‑VET (1‑855‑784‑8838) between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.
  • SmokefreeVET: VA's quit tobacco text messaging program. Text VET to 47848 or visit smokefree.gov/VETLink will take you outside the VA website. to sign up for SmokefreeVET in English. For Spanish, text VETesp to 47848 or visit veterans.smokefree.govLink will take you outside the VA website.
  • Stay Quit Coach: VA's interactive quit tobacco app. Visit mobile.va.gov/app/stay-quit-coach to download.

VA can help

Visit VA's Tobacco and Health website for additional resources

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