Quit Smoking Today

Despite the dangers of smoking, many Americans continue to do so. It is a known fact that smoking not only causes cancer but poses several others risks to one's health. So, why do so many people smoke? Nicotine is addictive, and smoking is a hard habit to break. With the recent tax hike on cigarettes, many smokers are trying to quit. Regardless of how you quit, it is still a difficult task. Quitting smoking requires more than willpower, but with the proper tools you can quit.

Start out by asking yourself why you want to quit. Make a list of all these reasons. If you know why you are doing something and have a list handy to remind yourself of why you are quitting, it may be easier to resist the urge to smoke. Let others know what you are doing, this way they won't offer you a cigarette and can support you in your efforts. Pick a date, preferably one that you don't have anything big planned and can avoid the typical situations in which you smoke. Decide how you are going to quit. Are you going to quit cold turkey or try a nicotine supplement? Talk to your doctor before using any type of nicotine patch, gum, or similar product. There are some prescription medications available to aid you to quit smoking. Discuss these things with your doctor. Create a plan. The day before you quit, remove all ash trays, lighters, and cigarettes from your home.

Keep in mind that quitting smoking is similar to losing weight, in the sense it requires a lifestyle change. For example, when I first quit I had to change my daily routine. Drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes was the first thing I did every morning. I had to replace coffee and cigarettes with something else. Instead, I would get up, watch the news while drinking a cup of coffee and then I would do a few stretches. For the first week or two I had to limit myself to no more than a cup or two or I would get the urge to smoke. Look for the key points in your day that you smoke and do something else. Smoking after meals is common among a majority of smokers, take a short walk after meals to curb the urge to light up.

Don't think because you got past the first couple of days or weeks that you are out of the woods. Even after being smoke free for over a year, I still sometimes get the urge to smoke. You need to reward yourself, go over your reasons, and celebrate being smoke free on a regular basis. Others may find it easier to stay smoke free if they can see their progress. For this I suggest taking the money that you spend on cigarettes in a week and putting it aside. Save the money, or use it to treat yourself to something to help celebrate your progress.

It's easy to relapse, so try not to put yourself into those situations. If you are really having difficulty there are several support groups available. Check with your local health department or communities on the web. Don't let others smoke in your home or in your vehicle. Remember, the goal is to quit for good. Quitting smoking is not easy, but it can be done.