3 minutes read.
Table of Contents
Why Should You Stop Smoking?
Just a reminder of the reasons why, which may help to motivate you.
There are a whopping 14 types of cancer associated with smoking.
Those of you who smoke are 2 to 4 times more likely to develop heart disease than non-smokers.
Your risk of having a stroke will likely increase 6 times more than a non-smoker if you smoke up to 20 cigarettes a day.
If people are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke, even if they don’t smoke, their risk of developing lung cancer can increase by 20-30%.
You will feel healthier.
If you are concerned about your appearance, your teeth will stop getting stained.
Finally, you’ll save a lot of money!
What are the most Successful Ways to Stop Smoking?
If you stop smoking for 28 days, you’re 5 times more likely to give up for good.
You can use stop smoking aids like nicotine replacement therapies such as patches, sprays, gum and lozenges. A mixture of these is more effective. So you can use patches for a slow release of nicotine and use sprays etc. to alleviate your strongest cravings. These products are recommended to use for about 12 weeks. Just to let you know nicotine is quite harmless but it’s the toxic chemicals in the smoke that causes nearly all the damage in your body.
Depending on where you live, there are prescription-only medicines that can help with nicotine withdrawal.
Now, I know that vaping has had bad press but it can be used too, to help you stop. People who vape daily along with support from a stop smoking service have the most success at quitting.
Avoid triggers like going to parties and bars, for example and have strategies in place when you’re stressed.
Tell your family and friends so they can support you and check out support groups on social media.
Download stop smoking apps.
Never have ‘just the one!’
When the cravings strike, if you can, try doing some exercise like walking up and down stairs, for example. Or take up other activities for distraction like writing, sewing, knitting, meditation, yoga etc. Whatever you prefer.
Also, eat candy or chew gum when the cravings appear.
Throw out ashtrays and lighters and wash and clean any clothes and furnishings that smell of smoke.
Remind yourself why you want to stop and if you manage to soldier on through your cravings, why not reward yourself?
My Musings on Smoking.
I’ve never been a smoker, well apart from having one cigarette at 12, one at aged 13 and one cigarette when I was 26 on a night out when I was ‘slightly’ inebriated!
I’ve always associated cigarettes with good times. I can remember loving the smell of cigarettes lingering in my living room after my Grandparents used to visit. I had a favourite great uncle who smoked a pipe and what a lovely smell that was! And, it wasn’t a good night out unless I came home reeking of cigarettes! Those of you of a certain age will remember pubs and clubs which used to be so thick with cigarette smoke that you couldn’t see where you were going! However, I’m glad I didn’t get addicted to cigarettes because I’d probably wouldn’t be able to stop and eventually, would end up walking around with a cigarette in one hand and an oxygen mask in the other!
If you are considering stopping smoking, then I hope the above tips will help you. Be kind to yourself on your journey. It’s not easy.
Feel free to comment on this post.
Thank you for reading.
Rachel x
Sources: nhs.uk, mayoclinic.org, helpguide.org, webmd.com, cancerresearchuk.org, hopkinsmedicine.org, cdc.gov, medicalnewstoday.com
I grew up in a house filled with cigarette smoke. My dad smoked to the day he died, despite having fought—and beat—lung cancer. I smoked on and off in my late teens and early twenties. Then I just decided it was time to quit and I’ve never looked back.
My sister asked me to pick up some cigarettes for her at the duty free when I travel to England this week. I was SHOCKED when I looked at the price—even the duty free price. In addition to the health cost, knowing what you could do with all that extra money would motivate me to quit.
As it would with me! Thank you for commenting. 😀
I managed to stop smoking twice, the first time I used Chupa Chups lollipops and the second time, and last time was switching to fruit flavoured vaping to break the association between the smeel and taste of tobacco with the behaviours of smoking
Lollipops, what a great idea.
My husband gave up smoking at the end of 2019 because he was heading into dealing with some serious health battles (unrelated to smoking) and I am so glad he did. My father passed away a number of years ago of lung cancer that spread to his brain; he started smoking when he was 14 and was dead by 65. He suffered such awful health conditions for the last 25 years of his life (smoking related) that I wished he could have given up. Smoking is simply not worth it— thanks for sharing useful ways to help people quit. Great advice!
Thank you for commenting. So sorry to read about your Dad.