How to 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

1. Ask yourself why you want to stop smoking.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

Tips & Warnings

• Ask your doctor about nicotine chewing gum if you have tried unsuccessfully to quit in the past.
• Be prepared to persist despite a few relapses.
• Planning meals, eating a healthful diet and staying active will help you maintain your weight.
• Drink water instead of eating.
• You may experience irritability, depression and "dry mouth" due to nicotine withdrawal after you stop smoking. These symptoms will pass.

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[imanto]

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.

[ruf1950]

on 6/21/2009 Really short, sweet and to the point; great job. 5*****

[amber21]

on 6/5/2009 I want to quit smoking so bad! not just the fact that i cant afford the habit hardly, but also i wanna be healthy for my son and myself. so thanks for the suggestions on how to stop smoking!

[lixobags]

on 4/27/2009 I found this cool site calledwww.detoxinsider.comshort stories on how people quit. its pretty cool

[kallens]

on 4/16/2009 First accept the fact they make you feel like sh*t, then when ready to stop...Foolproof method that worked for me:The chemical....Get 3 days to yourself.One evening get heavily drunk and smoke alot,Next day dont smoke sip water recover (u shud feel very ill),Day after dont smoke eat fav food watch movies jerk off etc (enjoy not feeling ill)and stay up very very late,Third day wake up midday start drinking, by evening ur drunk and ready to sleep,Fourth day nicotine has left the system!Now its a mind game...Always remeber you will only want a ciggarette for 5 min. So if you find yourself wanting one badly just remeber in 4-6 minutes you wont, im sure you can manage 4-6 minutes! After a couple of weeks it gets easier and easier, soon you will want a ciggarette once a month, and then you wont!