Quit Smoking

2009-04-02T04:14:00.000-07:00

Triggers for Smoking

Habit: Craving to smoke as a habit: have to have a smoke in toilet while driving, after dinner every day etc.
Mood: I feel like smoking because I am bored, I want to feel relaxed, I am in mood to smoke etc.
Company: In a party or gathering, just to give company to others in the group.
Peer pressure and style: I feel that it's "in" thing to smoke. So, I smoke just to keep up with Joneses. Peer pressures. Young persons mostly start like this.
Withdrawal symptoms: Smoker may feel like smoking when the nicotine level in his body falls and creates a nicotine craving.

Smoking = Poison

Smoke of tobacco contains 4000 poisons and other dangerous chemicals.
Nicotine is the worst as it is what makes one addict to cigarettes- harms heart.
Carbon monoxide is another which is poisonous and adversely damages the heart and lungs and therefore, decreases their efficiency to supply oxygen.
Tar is yet another very dangerous and cancerous constituent of tobacco smoke.

Therefore smoking is suicidal and a silent killer. Smoking is also a social evil- it pollutes the environment and forces others to do equally dangerous passive smoking.

Hazards of Smoking

Heart attack
Stroke
High blood pressure
Lung related diseases: chronic cough, cold, bronchitis etc
Lung cancer
Pain in legs while walking, may even lead to gangrene (needing amputation of the limbs)
Stomach ulcers
Indigestion
General health is adversely affected resulting in more visits to doctors
Bad breath
Stained teeth
Smokers' children may have colds and respiratory difficulties
Smokers' children may take to smoking
Pregnant female smokers (due to their smoking or someone else smoking near them) run a high risk of still baby birth or birth of sick babies.
Overall shorter life span
Smoking by smokers gives rise to passive smoking by others in the environment which is equally harmful
It's your money burner

Excuses for Not Stopping Smoking

Despite knowing as to how deadly and dangerous smoking is, smokers give all kinds of excuses for not giving up smoking. Some of them are listed below (all of them are sheer excuses, there is no truth in what the smokers claim):

It's fun
Relaxing
Helps to concentrate
No will power to quit
I have will power to quit and I can quit it whenever I want, hence, will like to continue for some more time
I was miserable last time I quit
The damage is already done, let me continue
In company it feels good to smoke
Why worry, death is imminent, why not enjoy for a while

Quit Smoking Plan

You have to decide to quit smoking, no one else can do it for you.
Muster your will power, believe that you have it.
Make a list of all the reasons to quit smoking. Keep them always in front of you as reminders. Revise them in your mind couple of times a day, particularly at night before sleeping.
Convince a friend to quit smoking with you or have a friend around who has already given up smoking. Its easier to talk it out with him.
Fix up a specific date from when you will stop smoking. It should be just about one to two weeks from the day you thought about it. Let the date coincide with one of the important dates of your life, say, your birthday, a particular festive day etc.
Before this date, stop carrying cigarettes with you. Start limiting smoking by putting some self imposed disciplines like smoking only at a particular place or time etc.
Declare your intention to quit smoking to your family, friends and colleagues.
On the day of quitting, throw away all the cigarettes, matches and any other accessories like ash trays, lighters etc.
Tackle one day at a time. At the beginning of the day, say to yourself- I am not smoking at all today and then stick to it till the day ends. Then take on the next day and do it for the next day and so on.
Try to quit smoking without need to depend on anti smoking drugs.
Get your teeth cleaned of tobacco stains from the dentist.
Keep busy in your professional work, physical exercises, movies, long walks and other meaningful activities etc. Also take adequate rest.
Congratulate yourself on your achievement and give yourself a treat.
Whenever you have a craving to smoke, drink water or juice.
When there is withdrawal symptom, take deep breaths and get busy with some activities like walks, exercises, shower etc.
Tell yourself everyday that you are now a non-smoker.
during first few days after quitting smoking, drink lots of fluids like water and fruit juices. do not take such beverages like hard drink, coffee or tea etc which are normally associated with smoking.
Keep you fingers busy with something other than a cigarette.
Avoid the company of smokers for a few days after you stopped smoking.
Don't sit at those places where you used to sit and smoke.
Bring in some modifications in your daily routine. The times you used to smoke earlier, fill them up with some activities.
Don't smoke even one cigarette now that you have given it up.

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