Smoking - tips on how to quit

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Quitting smoking

Smoking hazards

Overview

Prevention

Definition

Alternative Names

Cigarettes - tips on how to quit; Smoking cessation - tips on how to quit; Smokeless tobacco - tips on how to quit

Information

There are many ways to quit smoking. There are also resources to help you. Family members, friends, and co-workers may be supportive. But to be successful, you must really want to quit.

Most people who have quit smoking were unsuccessful at least once in the past. Try not to view past attempts to quit as failures. See them as learning experiences.

It is hard to stop smoking or using smokeless tobacco. But anyone can do it.

Know the symptoms to expect when you stop. Common symptoms include:

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An intense craving for nicotine
Anxiety, tension, restlessness, frustration, or impatience
Difficulty concentrating
Drowsiness or trouble sleeping, as well as bad dreams and nightmares
Drowsiness and trouble sleeping
Headaches
Increased appetite and weight gain
Irritability or depression

How bad your symptoms are depends on how long you smoked. How many cigarettes you smoked each day also plays a role.

FEEL READY TO QUIT?

First, set a quit date. Quit completely on that day. Before your quit date, you may begin reducing your cigarette use. But remember, there is no safe level of cigarette smoking. See also: Making the decision to quit tobacco

List the reasons why you want to quit. Include both short- and long-term benefits.

Identify the times you are most likely to smoke. For example, do you tend to smoke when feeling stressed or down? When out at night with friends? While drinking coffee or alcohol? When bored? While driving? Right after a meal or sex? During a work break? While watching TV or playing cards? When you are with other smokers?

Let your friends, family, and co-workers know of your plan to stop smoking. Tell them your quit date. It can be helpful if they know what you are going through, especially when you are grumpy.

Get rid of all your cigarettes just before the quit date. Clean out anything that smells like smoke, such as clothes and furniture.