hOW CAN I STOP SMOKING?

Answer 1

Wow! Of all the questions on this web site this is the most difficult to answer. I started smoking when I was about nine years old in 1940, It was near the end of the depression that started around 1930. We (the gang) would go to the bus stop and pick up cigarette butts off the street. People would toss them away as they boarded the bus. Cigarette packs were going for around thirteen cents. In Chicago west side. The point is that once your hooked it becomes more addictive than anything I know of. I continued smoking until I was thirty five. Then my daughter made me quit, and I did ,for over twenty years. BUT around ten years ago I took one cigarette. that's all it took for me, Now I am trying very hard to stop again. So far I have been of for the last six days. IT'S NOT EASY> Now I'm seventy six and I feel like I'm still hooked.

Answer 2

Hi,
If you realy wants to quit smoking then you should know some facts.

This is for your information pl. that Cigarette smoking kills nearly about 420,000 people a year, making it more lethal than AIDS, accidents, homicides, suicides, drug overdoses, and fire.

The main risks of smoking are

1. Heart disease
2. Cancer
3. Dementia and neurologic diseases
4. Lung disease
5. Female infertility and pregnancy
6. Male sexuality and reproduction
7. Behavioural and Social Problems
8. Effects on bones and joints

The methods to quit smoking are

At this time the most effective methods for quitting is a combination of nicotine replacement products and the antidepressant drug bupropion bolstered by counselling.

1. Nicotine replacement

Nicotine replacement products provide low doses of nicotine that do not contain the contaminants found in smoke. They are proving to be twice as helpful as other standard quitting methods. Replacement products include nicotine patches, gums, nasal sprays, and inhalers. Side effects of any nicotine replacement product may include headaches, nausea, and other gastrointestinal problems. People often experience sleeplessness in the first few days, particularly with the patch, but the insomnia usually passes. Patients using very high doses are more likely to experience symptoms, and reducing the dose can prevent them. Certain individuals like people with heart disease, pregnant women, small children may need to avoid nicotine replacement products.

Nicotine patches: Nicotine patches, or transdermal nicotine, can be an effective way to quit smoking. The quit rate for patch users is around 20% after six months. Nicotine patches are available over the counter, but it is best to consult a doctor before using them, particularly people with any medical problems.

Nicotine gum: Nicotine gum (Nicorette), available over the counter, has also been effective for a number of people. Some prefer it to the patch because they can control the nicotine dosage and chewing satisfies the oral urge. Long-term dependence may be a problem with this method.

Nicotine inhaler: The nicotine inhaler resembles a plastic cigarette holder. It comes with a number of nicotine cartridges which are inserted into the inhaler. It has some specific advantages over other slower nicotine replacement products:

Nicotine nasal spray: The nasal spray satisfies immediate cravings by providing doses of nicotine rapidly, and thus may play a useful role in conjunction with slower acting nicotine replacement therapies.

Nicotine tablet: A nicotine tablet that is held under the tongue is also very useful.

2. Alternative and ther Methods for Quitting

Scheduled reduction: One study showed that people who used a systematic withdrawal schedule were twice as likely to quit as those who went cold turkey. The procedure involves the following steps:


Divide the number of minutes per day awake by the number of daily cigarettes; the result is the minute-long wait between smokes.

Set up a schedule with time intervals based on this result and using a timer, smoke only at those intervals; if the "cigarette appointment" is missed by more than five minutes, the smoker must skip that cigarette.

The following week, one-third fewer cigarettes are used and the smoking time is recalculated based on the lower number.

During the third week the count is again reduced by a third, and the smoker quits in the fourth week.
Change daily habits:


Change the daily schedule as much as possible. Eat at different times or eat many small meals instead of three large ones, sit in a different chair, rearrange the furniture.

Find other ways to close a meal. Play a tape or CD, eat a piece of fruit, get up and make a phone call, or take a walk (a good distraction that burns calories as well).

Substitute oral habits (eat celery, chew sugarless gum, suck on a cinnamon stick.) Go to public places and restaurants where smoking is prohibited or restricted.

Set short-term quitting goals and reward yourself when they are met, or every day put the money normally spent on cigarettes in a jar and buy something pleasurable at the end of a predetermined period of time.

Find activities that focus the hands and mind but are not taxing or fattening: computer games, solitaire, knitting, sewing, whittling, crossword puzzles.

Avoid heavy drinking of alcohol, caffeine, or other stimulants or mood altering substances.

Enjoy Life

Answer 3

People differ in their personalities and their reasons for smoking. Not every method works for every person.

When I tried to quit smoking, I tried a no smoking group class, nicotine gum, and cold turkey. Then I tried hypnosis and was able to change the way I think about myself from "smoker with no cigarettes" to "nonsmoker who isn't feeling well". I just took it easy on myself after that and kept some distance from smokers.

But my point is - keep trying different methods till one helps you. I know those methods that didn't work for me worked for other people.

Answer 4

Study where and how much you smoke, hang around places more where you never smoke.
To me smoking is 10% addiction and 90% habit

Answer 5

just quit. no screwing around. just quit. chew motherloads of gum. thats what did it for me. i had a coupla relapses first tho. now i will never even have one cos i know i will fall right back in and it was so hard for the first couple of weeks to quit. i dont even want to be around people smoking now. its been about a year or more.

Answer 6

It takes a lot of will power and don't give in to it ,and you will be fine.( Exsmoker)

Answer 7

Hello,, put some water on it!!