would like to give up smoking is it best to stop or cut down gradually?

Answer 1

Just. Quit. Nicotine isn't that addictive, and it's out of your system in a few days if you can just stick it out.

Answer 2

I found cutting down gradually only delaying the stop date. I used nicotine gum and chewed a piece anytime I had an urge. I could generally make a piece last about 30 minutes.
It took about 6 months as I gradually tapered off the gum. I would chew other kinds of gum or suck on hard mints.
Also part of the bonus of not smoking is having your sinuses clear out. That won't happen if you taper off.
I'm now smoke free for 3 years and 2 months.

Answer 3

Decide to do it, then go for it, don't prolong the withdrawals, get it over and done with. When you quit, make the effort to shift your thinking from how good you think a smoke would be - to the good feelings you'll have when you are smoke-free. Drink or eat fruit or juice to keep your blood sugar up for a few days instead of nicotine doing that, and nibble on healthy snacks - nuts, veggies, etc.
You can get your instant gratification a heap of other ways, and gain your respect and others admiration to boot. Look at exercise, meditation, and hobbies and activities to occupy your hands and mind - instead of smoking. Will work like a charm and in a few weeks you'll be a different person.
All tests show that feeding yourself low doses of nicotine will not give you much chance of permanently being able to quit smoking.
You need help with the psychological side of addiction too. You will spend a lot of money and time to slowly try and wean yourself off smoking by nicotine replacement, and risk the common trap of becoming addicted to the gum.
There's a lot of help at http://www.quitguide.com to make quitting smoking much easier and faster.

Answer 4

Its not a good idea just to cut down because before you know it you will be back smoking the same as before
Are you ready to give up smoking if not wait until you are ready then plan a day and stick to it use Patches ,gum or some other aid to help you its not going to be easy but believe me it will be worth it I have been a non smoker for 14 months now its brilliant

Answer 5

I would think it's best to quit completely. If you do it gradually, you're still doing it. I quit the hard way-hospitalized. But, if this hadn't happened, I think I'd try the patches, or something to get you through the hard parts of quitting. It gives you a whole new life. Your lungs will be stronger, and you can smell things you forgot about ! There's a lot of help out there right now. Go get it !

Answer 6

All the time you are having even 1 cigarette, you are still a smoker! Cutting down is just deluding yourself. Best to give up in 1 hit. Don't do the patches thing - another delusional thing! Just STOP and if you need help with this, hypnotherapy is THE thing! If you get the right person to help you, you'll give up without any hassle. Good luck.

Answer 7

One psychology of smoking is that you want to reward yourself for something for which you have not received any appreciation.Another point of view is that certain triggers,Make you reach for a cigerette.I have found that trying to stop suddenly has been a successful approach by many people, but in my case the habit comes back with a vengeance increasing the intake.The best way is to stay in a place ,far away from any source of tobacco ,for a month.I have cut down by following alternative reward strategies of looking into the mirror and praising myself with adjectives.

Answer 8

Slow Down Gradually. You may just give up,and keep smoking if you just stop. I really am not for sure if you could have seizures or not if you stopped all of a sudden. Nicotine is addicting like valium I think. I do not smoke .I am DUMB on this subject I am just trying to help anyway.
Good Luck!!!

Answer 9

Stop it immediately. There is no need to slow down its usge and get it cut down gradually. You must have a strong will power and you will be to shun the idea of smoking from your heart. Strong will will help you to give up smoking immeditiately. It is anot agood thing. it is bad and very bad habit which results in very serious disease. I congratulate you to stop it atonce.

Answer 10

The standard advice is to stop completely, choosing for yourself a stop date. Available aids to help you include the various forms of NRT:- patches, gum, microtabs, nasal sprays, insuflators and lozenges. Also Zyban, which is more effective but with more potential side effects. (Prescription only).

The evidence is that cutting down, even to one or 2 a day is virtually doomed to failure. At the first sign of trouble patients rapidly increase again.

Answer 11

Just stop straight away - if need be get nicotine patches.
Don't give up or have just one cigarette.
Avoid smoky places, and friends that smoke. Think of all the health benefits and also financial. Good luck