BALTIMORE, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Many plan to quit smoking Jan. 1, but for those who fail, U.S. experts suggest there are 51 more opportunities to try quitting again.
Frances Stillman, co-director of the Institute for Global Tobacco Control at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, says millions will resolve to quit smoking -- again -- on New Year's Day. Yet many will resume their addiction by Groundhog Day, Feb. 2.
"We know there's a high relapse rate for first-time quitters and that it takes a number of attempts for most people to stop smoking altogether," Stillman says in a statement. "Using each Monday to reaffirm their goal of quitting is a sensible way to stay on track."
Sid Lerner, chairman of the Quit and Stay Quit Monday Campaign, says it is simple math -- for most people who quit, it takes from seven to 10 tries.
"We urge smokers to think about it realistically and use the start of each week to recommit to breaking their addiction. If you try every Monday, and keep at it, chances are good you may succeed within a single year."
