UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - For the smokers out there who have already broken their new years resolution to quit, it is time to come up with a strategy that works. Quitting smoking is the single best thing you can do to prevent heart disease. However the latest trends show while adults are going cold turkey, high school smokers are on the rise.

That's serious news because smoking can multiply your risk for heart disease. According to the Excellus Bluecross Blueshield report, the Upstate New York adult smoking rate is three percentage points higher than that of adult smokers statewide and nationally.

" For people who have tried and failed, the most important thing to realize is that you are not a failure, the average successful quitter tries five to six times before they are successful, and especially people who are high performers when they don't do well they might not try again because they don't like failing. For smokers its worth it to keep trying and trying," says Dr. Frank Dubeck the Chief Medical Officer for Excellus BlueCross Blue Shield.

The best way to quit smoking, of course is never to start.

Why not make this years Heart, Run & Walk the time when you finally were able to kick the habit and lead a healthier lifestyle.