Smoking | Cigarettes | Cancer | Health | Quit | Give Up

The truth is: there really is not one universal end-all method, or quit-smoking product, or a list of best ways to quit smoking. Smokers – individual smokers, at that – have to find their own version of what works for their particular case in order to overcome the urge to light up. There are smokers who have managed to quit cold turkey, and never experienced any form of relapse. Other smokers find that they need several quit-smoking aids in order to gradually wean themselves from tobacco based products. And then there are others still who had to go through several procedures, aids and episodes of relapses before finally being nicotine-free. The bottom-line here is to quit smoking altogether, no matter what route is taken in order to get there.

Many former smokers and quit-smoking counselors do have these suggestions to smokers who are now actively trying to kick the nicotine habit.

1. Moving away from nicotine addiction (or any kind of addiction for that matter) would entail resolve on the part of the person. No matter how many counselors or supportive family members and friends that person has, the nicotine habit can only be kicked out by the smoker himself or herself. Half-hearted measures are actually worse than not quitting smoking at all. With these weak efforts for reform, the person is conditioning his or her body to think that loopholes in the attempt are acceptable, because a person can only do so much. This kind of thinking can be considered as making excuses or justifying the irrational cause of not kicking the habit. Internal resolve is important, first and foremost; and after that quitting the cigarette becomes a lot easier simply because the body thinks there are no loopholes to retreat into.

2. Consult an expert. This depends on who the smoker feels more comfortable with, but an expert must be consulted at the onset in order to know precisely how to combat the tobacco dependence safely. Quitting cold turkey is ideal, but not quite achievable for many people whose addiction has been going on for decades, and those who may have had several episodes of relapses already. Some people prefer going to medical practitioners; others have access to quit-smoking advisers. A former smoker is not an expert, although he or she may give reasonable advice. It should be noted that not because one method or procedure or product worked for that particular person, means that the same will work for others.

An expert will help the smoker set reasonable short-term goals; as well as recommendations as to how to quit smoking according to the person’s current health, lifestyle and tendencies.

3. Lastly, a smoker trying to kick the habit is usually advised to be more active. Smokers have various reasons for wanting to light up. It can be because of anxiety, or boredom, or whatever else reason. Keeping the person active or doing something else (aside from reaching for the cigarette) helps keep the temptation at bay. Creating a new routine during times of anxiety (like walking or tackling a puzzle cube) or simply keeping a full schedule (to combat boredom) helps the person focus his or her mind away from the nicotine dependence.