Quit Smoking Painlessly Now!

I read this article from Star Smolik and I thought it would be really helpful to smokers who thought of going cold turkey. It is being reproduced here without any change.

Many people prefer to quit smoking “cold turkey”. This means to suddenly stop smoking cigarettes without gradually reducing your intake or using anti-smoking aids to help you. These people believe that cold turkey is the most effective way to quit smoking because it represents a true break from the cigarettes and nicotine. The WhyQuit education foundation suggests that 90% of ex-smokers quit cold turkey.

But is it right for you?

It takes a certain type of person to quit smoking cold turkey and if you are not that type of person, you may be setting yourself up for failure. If you have the following things, you may be ready to quit smoking cold turkey.

Are you ready?

Really ready? It takes a certain amount of willpower to quit smoking cold turkey and if you are only quitting because your office-mates pressured you into it, your chances of success are not very high. Make sure that you know your reasons and that they are the right ones. This way, when you start to feel that you want a cigarette, you can remind yourself of your reasons for quitting.

Do you have support?

When you want to quit smoking, you really need to have a good support system in place. It’s more difficult to quit if you are by yourself or if your friends are trying to talk you out of it. Friends and family that still smoke may give you a hard time when you try to quit smoking. This is because they feel badly that they are not able to quit. Make sure that you have someone to talk to about quitting and a group of people that supports your decision.

Do you have a plan? It may surprise you that it’s important to have a plan to quit smoking, but it’s true. Think ahead about what you will do when you want a cigarette or when you are with a group of people that smokes. Think about your triggers and what you can do. Everybody has different things in their lives that may make them want to smoke again. When you know ahead of time what you will do in certain situations, it makes it easier for you to overcome them.

If you think you do not fall under this category, you might want to check out these ebooks/programs:

Quick Smoking Today

Hypnosis To Change Your Life by Steve G Jones.

Quit Smoking Painlessly Now.

Having more than one good reason to quit smoking is one of the keys to success. The stronger the “why”, the easier your quest to stop smoking will be.

Here’s some tips to help you find your direction:

1. Health.

Smoking is detrimental to health and it increases your risk for lung cancer and heart-related diseases. Furthermore, smokers are more likely to get sick, or have a cold last longer. Quitting smoking will greatly improve your health.

Also, when you quit, the health of others may improve too.  Second hand smoke (aka passive smoking) is just as bad as smoking yourself, but these people are not choosing to smoke.

2. Children.

You might be smoking but I bet that you would prefer your kids not to smoke. Most smokers smoke because of habit rather than actually enjoying the taste and smell of cigarettes. Children learn from the adults, particularly their parents. So if you puff away, they are more likely to start smoking. They’re also more likely to begin smoking at a tender age because cigarettes are easily accessible in the house. If you have kids, tell yourself to quit smoking for their benefit.

3. Fitness

At some point, people find that smoking cigarettes affects their athletic performance if they are already active. Others find it hard to start an exercise program while they are still smoking. If you quit smoking, the chances that you’ll be able to do better in whatever sport you choose to play is much higher.

4. Money

Just take the cost of one cigarette pack and calculate how much you will spend in a week and in a month. Ask if this amount of money can be better put to use elsewhere.  In this economic downturn, this money saved from smoking can help to pay off some loans or as simple as bringing in extra bacon for the table.

5. Smell

Smoker smell like an ash tray. The smokes are retained in your hair, finger nails, body and even clothes. You couldn’t mask the odour with cologne even.  You may not notice it, but others certainly do.  This could negatively affect your job and personal life, especially if the other people around you are non-smokers.

While your own reasons to quit smoking must be deeply personal, hopefully this list of suggestion has given you some ideas to commence.

If you need help to quit smoking, you can find plenty of self-help books and programs either in the bookstores or online. FYI, recently, I have came across some ex-smokers giving a thumb up to these ..

Quick Smoking Today

Hypnosis To Change Your Life by Steve G Jones.

Smoking is a very social activity and it’s hard to quit smoking when your friends still smoke.

Here are some tips to quit smoking while others around you still smoke:

1. Why did you want to quit?
When you know the “why”, the “how” will be easier. Remember your reasons and make them strong. A feeling that you should quit is not good enough. There should be an opportunity cost if you don’t stop. For example, if you remind yourself enough that passive smoking is dangerous for your 2-month baby i, you will probably think twice to light up.

2. Have new friends
I’m not asking you to avoid your smoking friends. However, it will be good if you spend more time with non-smokers. The first few days and weeks of quitting smoking are the hardest, so if you avoid smokers during this time, you will have a higher chance of success. Tell your smoker-friends honestly, I bet you that most of them will understand even though they don’t think you will be successfully. Don’t worry, no offense will be felt if these smokers are truly your friend. Hey, who knows, they might join in too.

3. Meet people at smoke-free zones only
Plan to have your social gathering in smoke free environments. Many places now have laws preventing smokers from smoking indoors and even in specific outdoor areas like outdoor bazaars,  children playground,  cafes, etc. Even you want to light up, you will think twice for being frown on or being issued a ticket.

4. Empower yourself with Positive Thoughts and Words
Keep reminding yourself the good things that will fall in place once you successfully quit smoking. Talk to yourself about the negatives of smoking when you see other people doing it. Use empowering words and think only positive thoughts.

Smokers who could not count on the support of their friends and family when they attempt to quit smoking need a lot more help.

Additional Reading:

Quick Smoking Today

Hypnosis To Change Your Life by Steve G Jones.

He is a role model in many way but not when it comes to President-elect Barack Obama’s smoking habit.

In USA where 1 in 5 death is attributed to smoking related diseases, the Amercian leader has been under pressure to set an example to give up his 2-decade-old habit.

Appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press program, interviewer Tom Brokaw confronted Obama that he had ducked answering the question during an interview in November 2008 with ABC’s Barbara Walters.

Brokaw asked Obawa if he has stopped smoking as White House is a no-smoking zone. The conversation went like this:

“I have” Obama replied. “What I said was that there are times where I have fallen off the wagon”.

“Wait a minute” Brokaw interrupted and said, “That means you haven’t stopped.”

“Fair enough” Obama said. “What I would say is that I have done a terrific job under the circumstances of making myself much healthier. You will not see any violation of these rules in the White House.”

Reuters reported that the 47 year old leader was often seen on the presidential campaign chewing Nicorette gum, which helps ease the craving for nicotine. He has tried several times to quit but well, not quite successful.

(Source: Mind Your Body, 1 Jan 2009)

Additional Reading:

Hypnosis To Change Your Life by Steve G Jones.

The Best Lung Detox Program by David Rhodes