Tobacco Treatment Services
- One of the most important things anyone can do is quit tobacco. It does not matter what your age is or how healthy you are right now. Quitting tobacco improves health. Go to Benefits of Quitting Tobacco
- We have a team of specialists that work with each patient or family member to help them find the tools, support, and care they need. Go to Your Care Team
- We offer tobacco treatment programs and services to all Stanford Health Care patients who live in California. If you are a Stanford Cancer Center patient, you also have access to a National Cancer Institute program. If you do not live in California, please contact our tobacco treatment specialist for resources to help you. Go to Tobacco Treatment Services
The Benefits of Quitting
Three Ways Quitting Tobacco Can Help You During Cancer Treatment
- Fewer treatment side effects (from surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy)
- Greater chance of successful cancer treatment
- Makes breathing and moving easier
Three Ways Quitting Tobacco Can Help Everyone
- Improves health and quality of life
- Protects family and friends from secondhand smoke
- Saves money
COMMON THOUGHTS
I wonder if it is too late to quit.
It is never too late to quit. Being tobacco-free helps prevent secondary cancers and heart disease.2
I am worried about getting
addicted to nicotine replacement
products.
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) has a much lower risk of addiction than cigarettes. The amount of nicotine in NRT is less than in cigarettes and it is delivered more slowly.3
Will I feel stressed, anxious, or
depressed if I quit?
These withdrawal symptoms, along with trouble sleeping, cravings, and weight gain, can be treated.4
Could I quit now even if I failed
before?
It takes most people more than one try before they quit tobacco for good.5
Tobacco Treatment Services
We offer tobacco treatment programs and services to all Stanford Health Care patients who live in California. If you are a Stanford Cancer Center patient, you also have access to a National Cancer Institute program. If you do not live in California, please contact our tobacco treatment specialist for resources to help you.
Talk with a Team Member
A member of our team talks with each patient to answer questions and find the best treatment options.
One-on-one Counseling
Free counseling and support are offered through telemedicine and phone calls.
Medicines to Help You Quit
We provide easy access to nicotine replacements and prescription medicines.
Group Therapy
Want to join our virtual support group to help you quit tobacco? It is open to anyone who wants to quit tobacco. Group therapy is covered by most health plans. It is not covered by Medi-Cal. The group meets every Monday from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. PST on Zoom.
Jodi Prochaska, PhD, MPH, MS
Director
Smita Das, MD, PhD, MPH
Addiction Psychiatrist
Michael Polignano, MD
Addiction Medicine Specialist and Psychiatrist
Ann Cao-Nasalga
Tobacco Treatment Specialist
Angela Gibson
Tobacco Treatment Specialist
Brad Forbes
Tobacco Treatment Counselor
Annemarie Jagielo
Tobacco Treatment Counselor
Deereen Sabetan-Kafi
Tobacco Treatment Counselor
Wadie Zakhary
Tobacco Treatment Counselor
Amy Chieng
Tobacco Treatment Services Coordinator
Cindy Xu
Project Manager
Helpful Links
Publications and Presentations
In the News
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Benefits of Quitting | Smoking & Tobacco Use | CDC
2 https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/quit-smoking/index.html
3 https://smokefree.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/mythsaboutNRTfactsheet.pdf
4 https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/quit-smoking/7-common-withdrawal-symptoms/index.html