LEELANAU CO. -- The turn of the New Year offers fresh starts and new goals for many.

“I want to make lots of money” says a Suttons Bay resident

A tourist outside a downtown Traverse City bar says “My New Year's Resolution is to work out a little bit more because with my work schedule it’s a little bit difficult to fit in.”

But why is it so tough for people to keep their New Year's Resolutions?

"I think a lot of people sell out after like a month after” says the tourist

Lisa Danto is a Tobacco Addiction Specialist for the Traverse Bay Area Tobacco Coalition. She says quitting any addiction, especially smoking is tough.

"Most people say why don't they just quit cold turkey? I did it. The problem is only 2-3% are successful, it’s difficult to do it all by your self.” Explains Danto

If your New Year's Resolution is to quit smoking there are a couple of options to help you along the way. First, medications are available through your doctor. There are also Quit Lines a person can call for help.

Danto says "The first step is change in attitude when they're ready to do it. If they are not ready to quit they're chance of success is really low."

With the smoking ban coming to the state of Michigan in just a few months, Danto thinks it might influence some people’s resolutions.

Danto says "I think that will probably be another factor that motivates people especially if they can't smoke where they work. Hopefully people are ready to quit anyways." 

It doesn’t matter what addiction or change you want to make in your life, Danto believes now is better than never.   

Danto says "I think now is a time where you are reflecting on past and thinking about future wanting to change something to make your life better.”

NEED HELP QUITTING?

Call Lisa Danto, RN

Traverse Bay Area Tobacco Coalition

231-271-3684

Or

Quit Line

1-800-QUIT-NOW