18 July 2013

Top Tips to Help You Quit Smoking

Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances there is and most people experience a great deal of difficulty in giving up. This is particularly the case when you are surrounded by other smokers or you live in a country where smoking indoors in public places is still permitted. For the most part, quitting smoking requires self-discipline, but there are various other things that you can do to help. Consider the following tips to kick the habit.

Electronic cigarettes are becoming increasingly widely available. Electronic cigarettes work by vaporizing a liquid solution containing the common food additive propylene glycol, nicotine and flavourings. What you inhale is steam rather than smoke. Because of this, you can also use them in most places where smoking is otherwise prohibited.

Electronic cigarettes are often touted as being a safer, healthier and cleaner alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes. While this is true to a degree, due to the lack of smoke, tar and carbon monoxide among other factors, it is important to realize that electronic cigarettes are not a smoking cessation device. They do contain nicotine and they do not help to stop your dependency on it.

Motivating Yourself

Motivating yourself to quit smoking is the first step. We all know that smoking is extremely bad for your health, but have you ever thought about how much money you spend every month on cigarettes? The price of cigarettes varies greatly from country to country but, in the UK, for example, a heavy smoker may spend as much as £200 ($340) per month! Just think about how much money you can save and, if you manage to keep off the cigarettes for a month, why not reward yourself by spending the money saved on a weekend away or dinner at a nice restaurant?
Avoiding Temptations

Get rid of any smoking-related paraphernalia in your home such as tobacco, lighters and ashtrays. Keep yourself distracted from smoking by staying busy and keeping your mind off it. After a few days, this should start to get much easier. Keeping active and doing something a bit different can help you to get into a new routine. Not only can it be helpful to quitting smoking; it is good for your overall health and lifestyle.

Many smokers claim to be social smokers who mostly smoke while drinking. If you are the kind of person who gets the strongest cravings after a few drinks, then try to avoid that situation by having less to drink in the first place. It is also a good idea to avoid smoky pubs and other public venues if you live in a country where it has yet to be banned.
Smoking Cessation Products

People have had varying levels of success with different smoking cessation products, but they are worth a try. Some products available include nicotine gum, patches and inhalers. All of these claim to help wean you off cigarettes and, eventually, the addiction to nicotine itself.