Five Keys for Quitting Smoking
1. Get Ready
* Set a quit date.
* Change your environment.
* Get rid of ALL cigarettes and ashtrays in your home, car, and place of work.
* Don't let people smoke in your home.
* Review your past attempts to quit. Think about what worked and what did not.
* Once you quit, don't smoke—NOT EVEN A PUFF!
2. Get Support and Encouragement
Studies have shown that you have a better chance of being successful if you have help. You can get support in many ways:
* Tell your family, friends, and co-workers that you are going to quit and want their support. Ask them not to smoke around you or leave cigarettes out where you can see them.
* Talk to your health care provider (e.g., doctor, dentist, nurse, pharmacist, psychologist, or smoking cessation coach or counselor).
* Get individual, group, or telephone counseling. Counseling doubles your chances of success.
* The more help you have, the better your chances are of quitting. Free programs are available at local hospitals and health centers. Call your local health department for information about programs in your area.
* Telephone counseling is available at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
3. Learn New Skills and Behaviors
* Try to distract yourself from urges to smoke. Talk to someone, go for a walk, or get busy with a task.
* When you first try to quit, change your routine. Use a different route to work. Drink tea instead of coffee. Eat breakfast in a different place.
* Do something to reduce your stress. Take a hot bath, exercise, or read a book.
* Plan something enjoyable to do every day.
* Drink a lot of water and other fluids.
4. Get Medication and Use It Correctly
Medications can help you stop smoking and lessen the urge to smoke.
* The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved seven medications to help you quit smoking:
* Bupropion SR—Available by prescription.
* Nicotine gum—Available...