Ringing in the new year with a goal toward better health can be just the push you need to give up smoking altogether.

And with smoking bans now in place at parks, beaches, campuses and buildings, it’s getting harder to light up in public as we inch closer to a smoke-free Hawaii. Hawaii made history in 2015 when it became the first state to raise the legal smoking age from 18 to 21.

Despite our lawmakers’ efforts, more than 13 percent of our island population still smokes. This amounts to millions of dollars in unnecessary health care costs and more than 1,000 tobacco-related deaths in Hawaii each year.

This Friday, put down your pack and encourage other smokers to do the same. No cigarettes, even if just for one day. The following tips will help you turn that day into weeks, then months — and you’ll be calling yourself a “nonsmoker” before you know it.

>> Create your plan. You’ve set a date, now make sure you’re prepped for success. Toss your cigarettes, ashtrays and lighters. If smoking is part of your routine, change it. For example, if you smoke after eating, occupy yourself by clearing the table or doing dishes rather than lighting up.

>> Seek support. Let your friends, family and co-workers know that you’re ready to quit smoking, and ask for their support. If they’re smokers, too, encourage them to join you in quitting — or at least ask them not to smoke around you. Declaring your intent to quit can help you stay accountable in the long run.

>> Ask an expert. Your doctor can recommend resources, prescribe medications and advise you on the correct use of nicotine gum or patches to help with your cravings. You can also speak with an experienced quit coach by calling the Hawaii Tobacco Quitline at 800-QUIT-NOW. They’ll help you devise a plan for quitting on your own terms.

>> Get your heart pumping. Make a dual resolution to put down the cigarettes and start a new exercise program. Physical activity eases the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, helps to reduce stress and can limit weight gain, a common concern for quitters. Although you might experience shortness of breath initially, you’ll feel your lung function improve as time goes on, which can be a motivator in itself for many former smokers. Make it fun by doing something you enjoy, such as swimming, dancing or kickboxing.

>> Don’t beat yourself up. Quitting smoking is a lifelong choice to do something positive for your health, but any addiction is hard to break. If a slip does occur, use it as an opportunity to renew your commitment to a healthier lifestyle.

Dr. Nicolas Nelken is a vascular surgeon at Kaiser Permanente’s Moanalua Medical Center and the physician champion for smoking cessation in the region.