For many Veterans, breaking free from tobacco is not a one-time decision but a journey marked by setbacks and determination. The story of Douglas Ferrier, a Navy and Army National Guard Veteran, offers a powerful testament to the strength of persistence in quitting tobacco. His experience, recently shared by the Department of Veterans Affairs, highlights both the challenges and rewards of tobacco cessation, particularly when supported by tailored treatment and community encouragement.

Ferrier began smoking at an early age, influenced by a family culture where tobacco use was commonplace. By age 9 or 10, he was smoking regularly, and the habit continued through his military service and well into adulthood. Like many, he initially saw smoking as a social norm, even something aspirational. But over time, the toll on his health and the impact on those around him became impossible to ignore.

In 2012, Ferrier made a symbolic and heartfelt attempt to quit. During a trip to Colorado to bury his father, he placed his last pack of cigarettes in the coffin. Motivated by his sister’s health—she suffers from a severe allergy to cigarette smoke—and the emotional weight of his father’s passing, he tried to quit cold turkey. Remarkably, he stayed tobacco-free for eight years.

However, the loss of his mother in 2020 brought a wave of stress that led to relapse. Ferrier acknowledged that while he turned to nicotine for relief, it ultimately worsened his emotional and physical state. Still, his motivation to quit remained strong. He wanted to be present and healthy for his wife, children, and grandchildren, especially after reflecting on the absence of his grandfather during key moments in his own life.

Realizing that quitting tobacco required more than willpower, Ferrier turned to the VA’s Tobacco Use Treatment Program. This program offers a range of support options, including telephone and video counseling, prescription medications, and nicotine replacement therapies. According to the VA, combining behavioral counseling with medication is the most effective approach to quitting tobacco for good.

Ferrier’s path to finding the right treatment was anything but straightforward. He experienced adverse reactions to several common options. Nicotine patches irritated his skin, gum made him nauseous, lozenges dissolved too quickly, and nasal spray caused sinus discomfort. He also had an allergic reaction to bupropion, a medication often prescribed to reduce tobacco cravings.

Eventually, his VA healthcare provider recommended varenicline, a prescription medication that blocks nicotine’s effects on the brain. This proved to be a turning point. Ferrier completed a six-month course of treatment in May 2025 without smoking a single cigarette during that time. His success was further reinforced by weekly video group counseling sessions with other Veterans, where they shared strategies, setbacks, and encouragement.

One of the most valuable lessons Ferrier learned through counseling was how to replace old habits with healthier routines. For instance, instead of lighting a cigarette after dinner, he now spends that time watching television with his wife. These small but meaningful changes helped him avoid triggers and stay committed to his goal.

The benefits of quitting have been significant. Ferrier reports improved sense of taste and smell, better control of his diabetes and blood pressure, less joint pain, and greater ease in physical activity. “I didn’t know cigarettes hit your whole body the way it did,” he said. His story underscores what research consistently shows: quitting smoking at any age leads to immediate and long-term health improvements.

Now 51, Ferrier is focused on the future. He continues to attend group counseling sessions and likens his tobacco cessation efforts to managing a chronic condition—something that requires ongoing attention and support. “I’m going to try to maintain my smoking cessation the rest of my life,” he stated. His commitment is rooted in the time he wants to spend with his family, especially his young granddaughter. Reflecting on the three months of her life during which he still smoked, he remarked that it felt like time stolen from her future with him.

Ferrier’s message to other Veterans is clear: setbacks are part of the process, not the end of it. “Don’t beat yourself up over a backslide,” he advises. His story illustrates that persistence, coupled with the right support and resources, can lead to lasting change. For Veterans seeking help, the VA’s comprehensive tobacco cessation program offers a lifeline—and a path toward a healthier, smoke-free life.

Read more at news.va.gov