Giving up Smoking in January. Does anybody have any tips?

Question

I've decided the time is now, and I have to give up. I need some really good tips how to give up properly and stay off them. Plus if anybody has any preparation technques on the run up to January, it would be much appreciated.

I only decided that I don't enjoy it and I wanted to give up today. As it is something I have done for 7 years now I don't just want to do it cold turkey, I know I will fail that way. I thought that if I ease myself into it, that way it won't be so much of a shock when I stop altogether!

My workplace will be running a support group in January which I will join and a colleague and a few friends also want to give up with me. I want to stop when there is the most help available to me, that's why I chose January.

Answer 1

Yes young Miss - you're right not to try and give up cold turkey - try the 'patch' or gum as a replacement.

Also analyse where and when you do have a cigarette - at home???/at work???/ At lunch???/In pub???. Try and avoid (as much as possible) those places where you find you derive most pleasure from cigarette - this may be for instance immediately following a meal - with a cup of tea or coffee. So for a while change habit - instead of tea and/or coffee - have soft drink.

Avoid places where smoking prevalent. Warn friends and family - that you are giving up and that they, if they are smokers, should NOT offer you one or light up around you (if this can be avoided).

Will also need to tell friends/family - you may be angry and irritable for a while because of giving up - tell them not your usual attitude merely that it is symptom of nicotine withdrawal.

Find friend/relative who is either a non-smoker or preferably one who has themselves given up to be your councillor and supporter - they will need to be contactable by you fairly constantly for the first 3 months after you've given up. If nobody else available - willing to help myself if you give me a call.

Answer 2

Best thing to do is cut down slowly during december, if your 10 a day now, aim to give up 1 every 3 days. This will make it much easier to quit come january.

HOWEVER this does not work if you say "I was allowed 10 yesterday but i only had 8 so i can have two more today" the point of this is to slowly reduce the nicotine (what makes smoking addictive) in your system.

Also in january i would use nicotine patches/gum for about a month. Then if your still struggling have 1 every two days in february.

During december and january make a special effort to eat more fruit (especially blueberries) as this will help clear your body of the toxins. Fruit smoothies are a really good way to do this. It not a bad thing to continue doing this as fruit is always good, but it will really help during the first stages.

BE CAREFUL : not to replace your addiction, when your quitting its easy to binge eat/drink or form other habits.

Answer 3

I gave up smoking on new year's eve last year. I had smoked on and off for nearly 20 years and was really starting to worry about future health problems - you don't feel invincible when you are in your late 30's like you do in your 20's!! I did it purely with willpower. I made sure that for the first few weeks I didn't put myself in a situation where I would be tempted to smoke e.g. in the wine bar with girlfriends. For the other 'danger' areas, like immediately after a meal, I made myself do something in it's place, like read a mag until the craving passed, or eat a piece of chocolate. I made sure I didn't drink too much alcohol, as I loved nothing better than a glass of wine and a ciggie!! After a short time, the cravings got less and less and I was able to resume 'normal' life. My boyfriend then gave up a couple of months later. He attended a stop smoking clinic recommended to him by his GP, and got prescriptions for nicotene patches. After two months he was off the patches, and he too hasn't had a cigarette since. We are both so pleased that we have done it. If you are a v heavy smoker, then I would recommend that you go to your GP, to get details of your nearest quitting group. If you are not, you should be able to do it on your own. Either way, you will never regret giving up. It will be really hard at times, but anything that is worthwhile is tricky. You will feel a real sense of achievement when you get to the end of the first week, then the first month, and so on. I found it easier not to look too far ahead, just take each day on it's own. It makes it hard if it's Tuesday and you're thinking to yourself 'I'm going for a meal on Saturday, I'm bound to want to smoke'. Just get through each day and it gradually becomes easier. I wish you the very best of luck.

Answer 4

I quit two years ago. I thought it be the hardest thing to do and was supprised when it wasnt. So what ever you do NOT listen to people who say its hard.

I started to cut down slowly, without putting too much pressure on myself. Then I changed brands to menthol and a bit lighter. I had great motivations- my boyfreind and wanting to run a race. Oh and save money. So list YOUR reasons for quiting. Then look at them or think about them when you feel like lighting one up.

Then just do it. Smoke your last, stub it out and dont light one again. I bought mints and chewing gum, and wine gums. After I ate I'd try fine something to do like washing, something to do with my hands so as not to think about smoking. When I craved a ciggy I'd make the decision again. I'd say do I REALLY want a cigerette, do I really want to disapoint everyone and do I really want to start this over again. I always said no

These are the things that worked for me. I think its different for everyone, and depends on how much you smoke and how many people around you smoke. Oh and dont keep an emergency packet. Make sure there are none in your house.

Just remember its easy and...

YOU CAN DO IT


One last thing... Its FANTASTIC not to smoke. You will feel great.

Answer 5

Read the book by Allen Carr, it is called the easy way to stop smoking, I read it and by page 38 I had given up smoking, it really works I haven't had a smoke since last new years eve, and have saved a bloody fortune, I was a 20 a day man, do it, good luck, not that you will need it, just remember smoking sucks.

Answer 6

I stopped smoking 3 years ago with the patches from my doctor. I decided to do it because I knew a few people who were smokers who died of lung cancer. I was so paranoid it kept me strong every time I had a caving.When I came off the mildest patches I went on the Lozengers . I realised the cravings were now quite rare . So I occasionally took the Lozengers just to get me through the last little hurdle. I still cant believe I done it as I used to be a chain smoker .People ask me if I ever get a craving now.I can honestly say never.I dont even think about it . I cant believe your managing to do it on willpower alone .Welldone and GOOD LUCK

Answer 7

If you say now is the time, then you don't have to wait until January. Talk to your doctor and county health office for suggestions that will work for you. Courses are often offered by the county office. They cost less than the fancy courses that come through your area at least once a year. The county office and support systems are still there when the show has pulled out of town!

Answer 8

Don't wait until January - New Year's resolutions never last!

Just stop now. Open a new bank account and when you would normally buy a packet of fags, put the money in the bank, that way you can reward yourself later in the year.

if you stop smoking now, just think how smug you'll feel over everyone else who's feeling crap in January, as you'll be over the worst by then

Answer 9

Instead of smoking you should chew gum or drink water. Maybe get some nicotine patches etc. There should be support centres around to help you out and give you these things for free. It depends in which country you live. In the UK the NHS is a medical association or something gives away free support and free nicotine patches.. Good luck and i hope you will be cigarette free for a very long time.

Answer 10

VERY GOOD ADVICE HERE:

My one an only tip and it is a very strong tip based on four failed attempts.

Read Allen Carrs 'Easy way to quit smoking'

I tried for four years to quit. Failed 4 times then read this book and once I had finished I simply no longer had the urge to smoke.

He has helped nearly a million people quit smoking. His methods are totally different to all the scare tactics that people usually use. It is a different and new approach to quitting and it really is easy.

You do carry on smoking while you read the book so will suit your January deadline.

Good luck.

Answer 11

I gave up on May 11th this year after 20 years of smoking 35 a day. I decided on that day that I wasn't going to buy anymore cigs and as I hate people who 'ponce' cigarettes and don't buy them, it has meant that i haven't smoked again.

I used the Nicorette inhalator at first, and as it tasted so nasty, i used a lot less than they said to. Eventually, I started using the gum as the inhalator was impractical in high powered meetings! I used my last bit of gum in July and now when the occasional craving comes, I drink water or suck a mint. I did contact my local NHS group (who will give you nicorette stuff on prescription so it makes the NRT much cheaper!).

All in all, make sure you do not substitute one nicotine addiction for another (cigs for nicorette) and do tell people that you have given up. They will support you - not nag.

But most of all, make sure you WANT to give up and that you mean it when you say you have quit.

There's nothing worse than lying to yourself!