HELPING SMOKERS QUIT

by **pegasus202** Sun Mar 09, 2008 7:05 am

Smokers are more likely to kick the habit if they are told how "old" their lungs. The concepyt of lung age-measured by comparing a smoker's lungs to the age of a healthy person whose lungs function the same-has helped patients better understand how smoking damages health. But that is also effective in convincing smokers to quit.

by **carelyn** Mon Mar 10, 2008 12:18 am

Tip 1. Quitting is different for everyone, so find an approach that will work for you. This may be either the cold turkey approach (stopping suddenly and totally) or a more gradual reduction in the number of cigarettes you smoke each day. Set a date to quit — and stick to it. Make it sooner rather than later. If you are quitting by yourself, it is recommended that you stop smoking completely on your quit date.

Tip 2. Get as much support as you can from family, friends and work colleagues. Let them know you are planning to quit, and ask smokers not to smoke around you or offer you cigarettes. Quitting with a friend can also be an excellent idea — you can share your feelings and encourage each other.

Tip 3. Throw out all cigarettes, ashtrays and lighters and anything else that might remind you of smoking. Wash your clothes and clean your car to remove the smell of smoke.

Tip 4. Nicotine replacement therapy, such as nicotine patches or chewing gum, could be a good idea for those who smoke heavily or who feel they may need the extra help. There are also medicines available on prescription, such as varenicline (brand name Champix) and bupropion (brand name Zyban) that can help you quit by reducing withdrawal symptoms and the urge to smoke. Talk to your doctor about what would be best for you.

Tip 5. Plan ahead for situations in which you are likely to be tempted to smoke, such as parties, drinking or going out for coffee. Try to avoid these situations in the early stages of your quitting programme, or try sitting in the non-smoking section at restaurants, drinking your coffee standing up or with the other hand, or keeping something in your hand when you're talking on the phone.

Tip 6. Write down all the reasons that made you decide to quit smoking, and carry them with you in case you need reminding!

Tip 7. Keep the following 4 Ds in mind when you have a craving.

* Delay: remember that the worst cravings last for only a few minutes and will become even less frequent the longer you have quit.
* Deep breathe: this should help you relax and focus your mind on something else.
* Drink water: it is a good idea to drink plenty of fluids to help flush the nicotine and other toxins out of your system.
* Do something else: you could go for a walk, to the movies or visit a supportive friend. Try eating an apple or cleaning your teeth when you would normally have a cigarette. You could hold something else, such as a pen or beads, to replace the need to hold a cigarette, or chew some gum or eat or drink a healthy snack to have something other than a cigarette in your mouth.

Tip 8. If you drink a lot of coffee, you may also want to cut down on your coffee intake as you will retain more caffeine when there is no nicotine in your system. Feeling jittery will not help your plan to quit. It may also be best to avoid alcohol as many people find it hard to resist smoking when they drink.

Tip 9. If you find you are losing motivation to quit, remind yourself of the many medical and financial benefits of quitting! For example, did you know that 12 months after quitting, your risk of heart disease is reduced to nearly half that of a smoker's? Remember the results of the myDr smoking cost calculator to help keep you motivated.

Tip 10. Call government agency for more advice and assistance to quit. smoking.

by **jkakashi01** Mon Mar 10, 2008 1:00 am

thanks for the tips mam care.i do smoke when im in 4thyr highschool. because im curious what are the benefits they get when they're smoking.but i didn't like it,so after 2 weeks i stopped. I started smoking again when im in 3rdyr college.i smoke when we're drinking,but im not a chain smoker. If i like to smoke that's only the time im smoking.but i never included cigarettes in my budget,and now i can't remember when was the last time i smoke. i think its been years already.i stop smoking because i want too...im a basketball and volleyball player during my college days so quitting smoking really helped me a lot to stay fit. If you really WANT to quit smoking, you can do it. Just keep in mind what are your goals why you want to quit. Try to focus on things that can help you quit smoking like the tips above that mam care have given... and remember...Cigarettes smoking is bad for your health banana

by **tart_force** Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:25 pm

WE HAVE NOW IN DRUGSTORES FOR CHAIN SMOKERS I THINK THEY CALLED IT NICOTINE GUM?

by **jkakashi01** Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:37 pm

tart_force wrote:WE HAVE NOW IN DRUGSTORES FOR CHAIN SMOKERS I THINK THEY CALLED IT NICOTINE GUM?

i heard of that gum too bro tart...hmmm...does it really help? scratch

by **angel_jen_force** Wed Mar 12, 2008 12:56 am

thanks cz care for this info,kya guys be aware of smoking,im not smoking but my mother and my father both smoking,i like the man smoking hehe...

by **cutest_dmd_force** Wed Mar 12, 2008 7:22 am

GOOD DECISION MY BESTFWEN!!!! IF YOU HAD NOT STOPPED SMOKING THEN YOU LESSENED YOUR LIFESPAN, REMEMBER YOU STILL HAVE HUNDRED YEARS CONTRACT WITH ME AS MY PC CONSULTANT HEHEHE YOU'RE JUST AN INCH AWAY, THANKS RED!!!

YES THERE IS AN ALTERNATE CANDY FOR CIGARETTE.
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