How to Quit Smoking

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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Quit Smoking

You've probably heard all the reasons 'why' - now check out the 'hows' of quitting, based on the recommendations of the American Cancer Society.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Candies
Carrot Sticks
Chewing Gum
Water
Smoking Cessation Aids
Drinking Straws
Water

Step 1

Ask yourself why you want to stop smoking.
Step 2

Write your answers on a piece of paper and carry it with you.
Step 3

Use it to remind yourself of why you want to stop, whenever you feel like smoking.
Step 4

Fill out a "stop smoking contract" and have a family member or friend sign it. Throw away all your cigarettes, lighters and ashtrays.
Step 5

Change your schedule to avoid circumstances in which you usually smoke. Walk around the block or chew gum when you would normally be smoking.
Step 6

Put up "no smoking" signs in your house and work area, and even in your car.
Step 7

Prepare yourself to feel the urge to start smoking again. The American Cancer Society suggests four ways to deal with the urge to smoke: delaying, deep breathing, drinking water and doing something else.
Step 8

Carry around "mouth toys" such as candy, gum, straws and carrot sticks.
Step 9

List the good things that have happened since you stopped, and keep the list with you wherever you go as an inspiration.
Step 10

Reward yourself for quitting; you could take the money you might have spent on cigarettes and buy yourself something nice.

Comments

somethingrandom said

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on 10/22/2009 Here's an article, also from ehow, called How Your Body Heals When You Stop Smoking: http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4924779_how-body-heals-stop-smoking.html

I think reading that really helped me, it reminded me how much good I was doing for myself by quitting.

mamasotota said

on 10/8/2009 IT REALLY HELPS :)

fahdaliaza said

on 7/17/2009 Kallens, this might have been the best advice to quit that I've ever had.

imanto said

on 6/26/2009 I really wish i could stop. One day im going to sit aside and just say, this is it! See my grandad still got cancer even when he stops, so it sort of makes me think. If it happened to me, i could be kicking the **** out of myself, and went back to "the day i want to sit aside" and say why didnt i just smoke my lungs out that day! But these are good tips.