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Easy Ways to Quit Smoking
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Overview
Quitting smoking can be one of the most difficult things that a person accomplishes in his lifetime. However, there are ways to make this task less difficult, and a smoker may find these approaches easier than quitting "cold turkey" or without a plan.
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Preparing to Quit
According the American Cancer Society, it is crucial to set a quit date and stick to it. In advance of your quit date, consider slowly decreasing the amount of cigarettes that you smoke each day. For example, if you smoke a pack per day, try setting your quit date a month out. One week, try to cut back to a half pack per day, and then a quarter of a pack the following week and so on until you reach your quit date. There is no one way to quit, but reducing nicotine consumption in advance may make quitting easier for some people.
It is also helpful to enlist a friend to help you once you have quit. Having someone to encourage you and help you deal with cravings can be very beneficial. Other people may want to take advantage of online support groups or programs, such as Freedom From Smoking from the American Lung Association.
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Nicotine Cessation Aids
Many people trying to quit find it helpful to use some kind of medication. Although some of these medications are available over-the-counter, it is important to read the directions and you many want to consult your doctor first.
Some of the most common over-the-counter smoking cessation aids include nicotine patches, nicotine gum and nicotine lozenges, which are all available in different doses. Nicotine patches are placed on the skin, and supply a steady, although small, dose of nicotine, according to the National Cancer Institute. Nicotine gum is chewed sporadically to dispense the nicotine into the mouth. Nicotine lozenges look like breath mints and slowly dissolve in the mouth. There is no single nicotine supplement that works best for everyone, and you should consider which appeals most to you.
There are also some prescription medications available. The National Cancer Institute describes Burproion or Zyban, as a drug that reduces withdrawal and the urge to smoke. It can be used with over-the-counter nicotine cessation aids. Verenicline or Chantix, reduces withdrawal and blocks the effects of nicotine if a user resumes smoking, according to the National Cancer Institute.
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Avoiding Triggers
For many smokers, there are a variety of things that can trigger the urge to smoke. When you initially quit smoking, it may be wise to avoid some of the things you associate with smoking. For example, if you usually smoke with your coffee, try a different form of caffeine for the next few months. If you frequently smoked while drinking at the same time, it is a good idea to avoid alcohol. You might also have friends who smoke and should consider politely avoiding them while they smoke until you get a handle on your cravings.
Time to quit
Coffee
