Things That Help People Quit Smoking

Smoking is an insidious habit that causes illness and death. Smokers have known since the release of the first Surgeon General's report in the mid-1960s how dangerous their habit is but cigarette smoking continues. Every year millions of people attempt to kick the habit. Many are successful, but even more fail.

Start Exercising

One way to help give up the habit of smoking is to substitute another habit, but one that is healthy. You will go through withdrawals when you attempt to quit smoking, but if you can start exercising, you will have something else to fill your time and effort. Combine cardiovascular exercises with strength training. Your lungs will start to clear and heal themselves by giving up smoking, and they will get even healthier with cardiovascular training. Run, ride a bike, walk or swim.

Limit Your Coffee Intake

Many cigarette smokers light one up every time they have a cup of coffee, particularly in the morning. Substitute herbal tea for coffee, which may turn the craving down two or three notches. Herbal tea is also much healthier for you than coffee, so giving up cigarettes and limiting coffee will help you on two fronts.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

Nicotine patches can help cigarette smokers quit the habit. A 2009 study by Duke University showed that cigarette smokers have a 50 percent better chance of quitting when they use a patch. Smokers can also use nicotine gum, a nicotine inhaler and nicotine lozenges to help them drop the habit. However, nicotine patches got the best results.

Eat a Snack

Eat a snack every time you have a craving for a cigarette. This could cause weight-gain problems, but it may be worth it to have a short-term weight gain if you can quit smoking for life. Eating fruit or fresh vegetables is best for you, but even you must have peanuts, pistachios, candy or gum, it should help.