Smoking Quit Tips

Smoking is one of the worst habits a person can have. It’s expensive, dirty and it’s one of the few things purchased that when used as directed can kill you. I am a former smoker. I can tell you that it is worth every moment of withdrawal I endured while quitting my smoking addiction 27 years ago. I smoked 2-3 packs of cigarettes per day. One day, I decided I had had enough. I went to a local clinic and went through their smoking withdrawal programs. Today, I continue to be smoke-free. I am writing this article hoping that if just one person reads it, they will quit smoking and save their health.

Quitting is not easy but it’s worth it. The diseases associated with smoking are devastating. I have lost many relatives because of smoking. We all know someone who struggles with smoking or who has lost someone as a result of smoking. Thankfully, there are ways to quit and people who will help. Below are a few of my smoking quit tips.

I was taught several simple ways to lessen my cravings which included avoiding caffeinated beverages like coffee and colas, at least until the cravings were past. This was a very important part of the quit process. Caffeine and nicotine are similar in their properties, and I was told it would be best to avoid caffeine temporarily.

I kept hard candy available at all times. I also filled a canning jar with cigarette butts and filled the jar with water and closed the lid. When a difficult craving came upon me, I opened the jar and took a whiff. I was quickly reminded that that is what smokers smell like. I didn’t want to smell like that anymore. This was a powerful motivator. I also wore a rubber band on my wrist and snapped it when I felt an urge to smoke. I carried a short little white pencil between my "cigarette-holding" fingers. Ah, the ways to trick the brain are amazing. I had a "buddy" assigned to me as well. We called each other periodically to encourage the quitting process. Last, but not least, I continued to attend meetings at the clinic where we saw pictures of cancer survivors. Some people had stomas (a hole) in their throats. Some had missing lower jaws. Some had no tongues and some had scars where a lung had been removed. Talk about a motivator.

These days, there are more smoking quit tips available than ever before when you commit to quit smoking. There are medications, patches, gum, hypnosis and acupuncture. Smokers have many options now compared to 1982. Each smoker will pick and choose what works for them. Some people try cold turkey, and that works too. I now write a blog to encourage people to quit. Join me in my crusade to rid the world of tobacco.