Tobacco & Nicotine Cessation Services

Learn more about the health effects of quitting smoking, experienced during the 1st year.

After quitting for:

20 minutes…

• Blood pressure drops
• Heart rate drops
• Body temperature of hands and  feet increase

8 hours…

• Carbon monoxide level in the blood drops
• Oxygen level in blood increases

48 hours…

• Nerve endings start to re-grow
• Ability to smell and taste is enhanced

72 hours…

• Bronchial tubes relax, making breathing easier
• Overall energy level increases
• Coughing, congestion, fatigue, shortness of breath decrease

2–3 Weeks…

• Chance of heart attack decreases
• Body is better able to fight infection
• Circulation improves
• Walking becomes easier
• Lung function increases up to 30 percent

1–9 Months…

• Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath decrease
• Cilia re-grow in lungs, increasing their ability to handle mucous, clean the lungs, and reduce infection
• Body’s overall energy level increases

1 Year…

• Excess risk of heart disease is half that of a smoker

Schedule an AOD Support Session to explore how substance use may be impacting your mental health or quality of life, develop a personalized action plan, and identify helpful resources for support.

You can schedule an appointment with an AOD Services Coordinator by calling Cornell Health at 607-255-5155, or by logging in to myCornellHealth using your Cornell NetID and password, and clicking on "Appointments." 

Cornell Health’s primary care providers can help you to review your tobacco use, learn about cessation tools that can improve your chance for success, and receive support to create a quit plan that may include medications. You can schedule a smoking cessation appointment with a medical provider online (at myCornellHealth) or by phone: 607-255-5155.

CAPS staff offer group counseling and workshops to help students who are struggling with their alcohol or other drug use, including smoking and other nicotine use.

Students can also meet individually with a counselor for support in setting a quit date, identifying and reducing triggers for use, and learning ways to manage stress and cravings. The first step to accessing individual counseling is to schedule a CAPS "access appointment" online through myCornellHealth or by calling 607-255-5155.

Nicotine Replacement Therapies: Various nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) are available in the pharmacy at Cornell Health (age 18+ without a prescription). They can help relieve withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit.

• Non-Prescription Medications: If you're 18 or older, no prescription is needed for NRT patches or gum. However, a one-month supply of patches can be covered by Cornell’s student health plan (SHP) if a student obtains a prescription from a medical provider. A two-week starter supply is also available for eligible individuals through NYS Quitline. Set up a clinical visit to explore this option.
• Prescription Medications: Students under 18 need a prescription for NRT supplies. Other individuals benefit from using prescription cessation aids. Discuss your interest in these aides with a prescribing provider during a medical visit.  

Quit Kits: Quit Kits include a combination of evidence-based tools to help manage any potential discomforts of quitting tobacco use.

Cornell Health Quit Kits include:

• Black pepper essential oil (read about the effects of aromatherapy on nicotine cravings)
• Big Red cinnamon gum
• Cinnamon sticks
• Peppermint candies
• Tea bags (various flavors)
• Worry stone
• Bendable fidget stick

You can obtain a free quit kit at our Pharmacy on Level 4.