Common Smoking Triggers

Smoking triggers vary for everyone but there are a few common causes for using cigarettes or tobacco in a pipe that are heard time and time again. If you want to quit smoking, the first step is to be aware of them, and how to avoid the situations.

1. Mornings
Whether it is those first few drags when you climb out of bed, or that first cigarette with your cup of coffee, mornings can be the hardest time for those trying to kick the habit. Before you even attempt to quit, start by changing the time that you first light up during the day. For example, set your alarm clock a little late and do not have a smoke until after you have showered and gotten ready or set it a little early to allow time for you to grab your first cup of coffee at a non-smoking coffee shop.

2. Driving
Many people admit that a common smoking trigger is driving, especially if you get stuck behind slow moving rush hour traffic. While you are attempting to quit, carpool to work with a non-smoker or use public transportation to avoid giving into the temptation to light up. Not only will you be eliminating one of your major causes for lighting up, you will be doing something good for the environment to boot. If this is not possible, try to get up early or late to avoid rush hour traffic and sing along loudly to favorite songs while concentrating on keeping both hands on the wheel in the standard, 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock safety position. Take different routes to see new things as well to keep things fresh and exciting as tediousness and boredom are also typical smoking causes.

3. Drinking
Drinking and cigarette smoking tend to go hand-in-hand. Quit drinking all together if you are able to when you quit smoking tobacco. If this is not possible or seems like to much, avoid places that allow you to smoke inside. Choose new clubs or restaurants that do not even have a sheltered area outdoors to light up and try out some new drink recipes as well to avoid that longing for your favorite brand with your favorite beverage.

4. Eating
An after meal cigarette is a pleasure for many people. To avoid this overwhelming urge, pick a non-smoking restaurant that actually frowns upon lighting up, even outdoors. Try out new organic establishments or ethnic foods. Go out to eat with plenty of your non-smoking friends present so you are not the only one left sitting at the table when everyone else goes out to smoke. When at home, try to eat lighter or spicier meals and do not allow yourself to reach the point of having "that full feeling" that always seems to beg you to reach for an after dinner cigarette. Switch to a brand that you cannot stand the taste of and it will be harder to ruin the enjoyable eating experience that you just had with a nasty aftertaste.

5. Nigh-Times
That last light up before bed is a universal common smoking trigger. To avoid this temptation when you are trying to quit smoking, change your schedule around to break old habits. If you usually take a shower, take a long lingering bath and read a good book. If that is where you enjoy your last smoke of the day, take a quick shower instead and pop in a movie. Start doing your workout at night so you are breathless and couldn't inhale if you tried.

Additional Tips to Quit Smoking:
Chew a lot of sugarless gum or suck on suckers or candy canes to keep your mouth and hands busy.

Eat a lot of raw vegetables and nuts for the same reason, as well as to avoid the feared weight gain of kicking this habit.