Every January, millions of people across the country pledge to quit smoking. However, due in part to ineffective relapse prevention efforts, many fall back into tobacco use. Despite this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that quitting is worth the effort and comes with many benefits.

Agency officials say that many individuals relapse because they experience stress or are unprepared to deal with the withdrawal symptoms. They recommend that smokers make their plan to quit known to friends and family so that they can provide support. In addition to substance abuse help programs, this may significantly increase the chances of quitting successfully.

There are many health benefits to quitting. Giving up tobacco reduces the risk of lung cancer, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and infertility. Additionally, second hand smoke has been shown to contribute to sudden infant death syndrome.

Whether the New Year's resolution is to lose some extra weight, spend more time at the gym or stop smoking, the pledges unfortunately are rarely kept. However, stopping smoking may be the one resolution that individuals can't afford to break.