New Year's Resolution: Do You Want to Quit Smoking?

In 2013 alone, The American Cancer Society estimated that there were approximately 159,480 deaths due to lung cancer in the United States, which accounted for roughly 27 percent of all cancer deaths in the country.

This type of cancer remains by far the leading cancer death among both men and women, even before breast, colon and prostate cancers combined. Unfortunately, environmental factors (smoking or living in highly polluted areas) often play a role regarding the risk of disease that could be prevented. Symptoms of the health issue may also be unrecognized until cancers have metastasized.

Yet the American Lung Association is offering a program to help encourage individuals struggling with tobacco addiction to break free from this costly problem for their future finances and their health. It's called the "Quitter in You," and according to program manager of the American Lung Association in Kentucky, Tami Cappelleti, "it's good to be motivated," to quit.

Though many smokers have tried to quit multiple times, and unfortunately, endured difficulties, Cappeleti notes that the "Quitter in You" is "for anyone, but there's a focus on those folks who have made these attempts in the past and felt like they failed," she said. "We don't call it failures. We just call it a slip-up."

And for some, the program may not be about quitting smoking, but rather, helping a friend or loved one who's struggling with nicotine addiction. 

To talk to a lung expert, call 1-800-LUNG-USA or visit their website at www.quitterinyou.org.