- Tobacco is the only legally available consumer product on the market which kills people when used entirely as intended.
- In the UK one person dies from a smoking-related disease every four minutes.
- Cigarette smoke contains over 4,800 chemicals, 69 of which are known to cause cancer.
Yoda said it best: “Do, or do not. There is no try.” Our top 8 tips will show you how to quit smoking for good.
1) Set a date to quit smoking.
This will help you mentally prepare to stop. Most people will quit on New Year’s Day, some on their birthday, or even on No Smoking Day – it doesn’t matter – just pick a day, and stick to it.
2) Abandon the old routine.
Avoid the shops where you would regularly buy cigarettes from. If you’re used to smoking in the morning with your coffee, switch to drinking orange juice instead. If alcohol and cigarettes go hand in hand for you, then it’s time to stop drinking.
3) Keep yourself occupied.
When the cravings start, chew sugar free gum or play with a pen as a substitute for the physical sensations of smoking.
4) Start afresh.
When you reach your quit date, clean your house, car, and all of your clothes; get rid of the smoke smell. Spending this time and effort repainting walls, shampooing carpets and cleaning upholstery will inspire you to keep things this way.
5) Stay positive.
Write down a list of positive reasons why you want to give up, and stick it to the fridge, notice board, or by your bed – somewhere where you will see it every day.
6) Watch your money grow.
Obvious health issues aside, one on the biggest benefits of giving up the sticks is the extra money it will save you, which leads nicely on to our next tip…
7) Treat yourself.
For every week or month which passes from your quit date, treat yourself. It doesn’t have to be much – maybe a meal out, a nice haircut, or new pair of jeans – just not 20 Bensons. A positive association with quitting is exactly what your subconscious needs.
8) Find a new hobby.
The stimulation and enjoyment of doing something completely new will easily keep your mind off smoking. For even better results, find a hobby which indirectly discourages smoking. For example, anything sporty will encourage you to maintain a healthy lung capacity.
For more information on how to quit smoking, visit www.quit.org.uk.
