by Adam Linton

Created on: April 09, 2011

How to quit smoking

Let’s make one thing clear before we begin: overcoming your addiction to nicotine will not be easy, but will be VERY rewarding.  Many people are under the illusion that this addiction is purely physical, this is not the case.  It is just as much a mental problem, and if your friends or family smoke, and are not prepared to give up with you, it is going to be more difficult.  You must really want this, be prepared to put effort in, and not rely only on other people.  Hopefully this ‘how to’ guide will give you some structure to follow and some tips to think about, but in the end it has to come from you.

1: Get people you know involved.  There is nothing worse than thinking that you are completely alone.  If you have other people to encourage you, you will feel a lot more motivated.  You could even try and persuade someone to quit with you, like a ‘training buddy’, and when times get tough, you can always lean on each other’s shoulders.

2: Outline reasons why you want to quit.  There must be a reason for your sudden change of heart.  Perhaps you worry for your health, or the health of those around you, or perhaps you just think it’s unattractive.  Whatever it is, make sure that it is in the forefront of your mind, so that if you want to give in, you remember why you started in the first place.

3: Be realistic.  Don’t try to be the big man by just stopping one day.  You will experience what is called ‘cold turkey’, and you are far more likely to fail.  Remember it is a physical as well as a mental addiction.  Take less day by day, until you are down to so few that you can take the big step, and never touch one ever again.

4: Seek help from the experts.  There are so many people out there willing to help you, many of whom are experts in the field.  Google it, and give one of the charities a call, or speak to someone from the NHS.  Don’t be tempted to pay for the help, because there are plenty of people who do it for free.

5: Create a reward system.  It may sound childish, but it helps.  Every week, set yourself targets, and if you meet these targets, treat yourself, go to the spa, do something you enjoy!

6: Employ the help of nicotine patches or gum.  This is not a method that I would particularly recommend, because they are just as addictive.  However they are not harmful like cigarettes because they don’t contain all the chemicals that cigarettes contain.  However nicotine is slightly harmful in itself, so this is not a good long term solution.

7: Don’t be tempted by the theory that one won’t do any harm.  If you have managed to quit, then stay that way.  Don’t have that one cigarette that your friend offers you on a night out, because a staggering number of people quit and then start again having ‘just had one’.

I hope this brief guide has inspired you to give up a horrible habit, or encouraged you to continue with renewed enthusiasm, and I wish you all the best.

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