Mark Viergutz was 16 when he started smoking.

He smoked for 33 years. He tried to quit three times, but it never lasted more than a few months.

He hated the smell. He didn’t like the taste. He didn’t like the way smoking made him feel.

“I smoked because I was addicted,” Viergutz said.

But last year, Viergutz tried quitting for the fourth time, this time through St. Peter’s Hospital’s Quit for Life program. One year later, he’s still tobacco free and doesn’t plan on lighting up again.

Viergutz spoke about his experience quitting tobacco to mark the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout, which is this week.

According to Deb Tillo, director of the Quit for Life program, Viergutz is not alone. People who quit smoking attempt it an average of seven times before they are successful.

“You’re never a failure until you give up trying,” Tillo said.

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services’ Tobacco Use Prevention Program also has several events going on in conjunction with the Great American Smokeout.

According to Darby Bramble, tobacco-use-prevention specialist with MTUPP, the program has displays at the Lewis and Clark Library and at the county’s Cooperative Health Clinic, 1930 9th Ave.

The program also used the Smokeout to honor the Lewis and Clark City-County Health Department and Shodair Children’s Hospital for being tobacco-free campuses. Both facilities received awards for their efforts on Wednesday.

There will also be teen-led activities at Capital High School and Helena High School focusing on the dangers of tobacco use and encouraging teen smokers to quit for the day.

Viergutz said the support he got — both from the other members of the group and the nicotine patches he was provided from the Quit for Life program — made quitting this time far easier than before.

He said getting strategies for quitting and recognizing pitfalls was a key.

“I think they’ve helped me tremendously,” Viergutz said. “I don’t think I could have made it without them.”

Viergutz also added that there were a couple of times when the tobacco quit line kept him from falling off the wagon when cravings hit. He said the quit line helps because a true craving only lasts a few minutes. Having someone there to talk you down can make all the difference.

But Viergutz said one of the biggest reasons for his success was probably that this time he simply was ready to quit. You won’t be successful, he said, if you try to quit because someone else wants you to. You have to want it yourself.

Tillo said another key to the program is that people who have quit in the past come to talk to the group, giving participants confidence that they can do it, too. She added that the support of tobacco-cessation professionals who work through the program — such as hypnotists, doctors and biologists — also help.

Features editor Joe Menden: 447-4087 or joe.menden@helenair.com