The Centers for Disease Control report that over 44 million people in the United States smoke. Of this population, more than 14.6 million people reported they had made an attempt to quit smoking that lasted at least one day.
Smoking is bad for your health in many ways, but as soon as you quit, your body begins to repair itself. The trick is in taking the quitting process one day and one step at a time.
Step 1
Make a list of all of the reasons you want to quit. Perhaps you are concerned about your health or smoking-related disease. Maybe you want to get back to working out or set a better example for your children. Whatever your reasons are, write them down and post them in places you see often throughout the day, such as your closet door or your bathroom mirror.
Step 2
Set a quit date. The American Cancer Society recommends setting a quit date and smoking up until that time, even if it is the next day. Tell as many people as you can about your quit date. Post about it on Facebook, call your mother and tell coworkers. Spreading the word will make you more likely to stick to your promise to quit.
Step 3
Throw away the last of your cigarettes, lighters, ash trays, cigarette coupons and anything else that reminds you of the days you used to smoke. Practice telling people that you don't smoke or that you are quitting smoking.
Step 4
Talk to your doctor about quitting. Withdrawal symptoms can be difficult to deal with, and they make quitting harder than it has to be. Nicotine replacement therapy can increase your chances of quitting if used correctly.
Step 5
Have someone you can talk to. Sometimes you are going to want a cigarette, and the desire to go and get one can be too much to bear. Having someone that you can call to remind you of all of the reasons why you decided to quit and talk you out of your urges can help during more difficult times.
Step 6
Consider attending support groups in your community. Check the Narcotics Anonymous website for information and to see if there are meet-ups in your area.
Step 7
Invest in some healthy snacks to curb your desire to smoke and prevent you from binging on junk food during moments of weakness. Snacks like celery and carrot sticks can help with the habit of smoking and prevent you from packing on the pounds while you wait for the cravings to go away.
