quote:

You Can Quit Smoking

Make 2007 the year you or someone close to you quits smoking.

Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body, causing many diseases and reducing the health of smokers in general. Quitting smoking has immediate as well as long-term benefits for you and your loved ones.

You CAN quit smoking. The following information may be helpful to your efforts.

If you’re looking to quit, we encourage you to contact 1–800–QUIT–NOW or www.smokefree.gov for additional support.

You’re Not Alone | Benefits of Quitting | Nicotine Addiction |
Double Your Chances | Five Keys for Quitting | Special Situations | Questions to Think About


Quit Resources
The following pages provide links on how to quit:
• www.Smokefree.gov Offers free materials, information, and support that have been effective in helping smokers quit.
• How to quit
• Tobacco Cessation – You can quit smoking now! The latest drugs and counseling techniques for treating tobacco use and dependence.
• Questions and Answers About Quitting Smoking –National Cancer Institute
You’re Not Alone

* In 2005, 45.1 million adults (20.9 percent) in the United States were current smokers—23.9 percent of men and 18.1 percent of women. An estimated 70 percent of these smokers said they wanted to quit.

* An estimated 19.2 million (42.5 percent) adult everyday smokers in 2005 had stopped smoking for at least 1 day during the preceding 12 months because they were trying to quit.


For more information:
Tobacco Use Among Adults — United States, 2005


Return to Top
Benefits of Quitting

* People who stop smoking greatly reduce their risk of dying prematurely. Benefits are greater for people who stop at earlier ages, but cessation is beneficial at all ages.

* Smoking cessation lowers the risk for lung and other types of cancer. The risk for developing cancer declines with the number of years of abstinence from smoking.

* Risk for coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease is reduced after smoking cessation. Coronary heart disease risk is substantially reduced within 1 to 2 years of cessation.

* Cessation reduces respiratory symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. The rate of decline in lung function is slower among persons who quit smoking.

* Women who stop smoking before or during pregnancy reduce their risk for adverse reproductive outcomes such as infertility or having a low-birth-weight baby.


Return to Top
Nicotine Addiction

* Most smokers are dependent on nicotine. Smokeless tobacco use can also lead to nicotine dependence.

* Nicotine dependence is the most common form of chemical dependence in the United States.

* Research suggests that nicotine is as addictive as heroin, cocaine, or alcohol.

* Examples of nicotine withdrawal symptoms include irritability, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, restlessness, and increased appetite.

* Quitting tobacco use is difficult and may require multiple attempts.

* FDA-approved medications that can reduce the withdrawal symptoms that may occur with a quit attempt are available.

* For more information regarding FDA-approved medications, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or speak with your health care provider.


Return to Top
Using Proven Treatments Can Double Your Chance of Success

* Nicotine is a very addictive drug, and usually people make several tries before they successfully quit.

* Each time you try to quit, you can learn what works for you and what situations are problematic.

* Using proven cessation treatments, such as FDA-approved medications and/or individual, group or phone counseling, can double your chance of success.

* For more information call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit www.smokefree.gov.


Return to Top
Five Keys for Quitting Smoking

Studies have shown that these five steps will help you quit and quit for good. You have the best chances of quitting if you use them together.

1. Get Ready.
2. Get Support.
3. Learn new skills and behaviors.
4. Get medication and use it correctly.
5. Be prepared for relapse or difficult situations.


1. Get Ready

* Set a quit date.

* Change your environment.
1. Get rid of ALL cigarettes and ashtrays in your home, car, and place of work.
2. Don't let people smoke around you.

* Review your past attempts to quit. Think about what worked and what did not.

* Develop a plan to deal with cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and times when you usually smoke a cigarette.

* Once you quit, don't smoke—NOT EVEN A PUFF!


2. Get Support and Encouragement.

Studies have shown that you have a better chance of being successful if you have help. You can get support in many ways:

* Tell your family, friends, and co-workers that you are going to quit and want their support. Ask them not to smoke around you or leave cigarettes out where you can see them.

* Talk to your health care provider (e.g., doctor, dentist, nurse, pharmacist, psychologist, or smoking cessation coach or counselor).

* Get individual, group, or telephone counseling. Counseling doubles your chances of success.

* The more help you have, the better your chances are of quitting. Free programs are available at local hospitals and health centers. Call your local health department for information about programs in your area.

* Telephone counseling is available at 1–800–QUIT–NOW.


3. Learn New Skills and Behaviors.

* Try to distract yourself from urges to smoke. Talk to someone, go for a walk, or get busy with a task.

* When you first try to quit, change your routine. Use a different route to work. Drink tea instead of coffee. Eat breakfast in a different place.

* Do something to reduce your stress. Take a hot bath, exercise, or read a book.

* Plan something enjoyable to do every day.

* Drink a lot of water and other fluids.


4. Get Medication and Use It Correctly.

Medications can help you stop smoking and lessen the urge to smoke.

* The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved seven medications to help you quit smoking:
1. Bupropion SR—Available by prescription.
2. Nicotine gum—Available over–the–counter.
3. Nicotine inhaler—Available by prescription.
4. Nicotine nasal spray—Available by prescription.
5. Nicotine patch—Available by prescription and over-the-counter.
6. Nicotine lozenge—Available over–the–counter.
7. Varenicline tartrate—Available by prescription.

* Ask your health care provider for advice and carefully read the information on the package.

* All of these medications will at least double your chances of quitting and quitting for good.

* Nearly everyone who is trying to quit can benefit from using a medication. However, if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, nursing, under age 18, smoking fewer than 10 cigarettes per day, or have a medical condition, talk to your doctor or other health care provider before taking medications.

* For information on FDA-approved medications, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW. To find out more about prescriptions, contact your health care provider.


5. Be Prepared for Relapse or Difficult Situations.

Most relapses occur within the first three months after quitting. Don't be discouraged if you start smoking again. Remember, most people try several times before they finally quit. The following are some difficult situations you may encounter:

* Alcohol. Avoid drinking alcohol. Drinking lowers your chances of success.

* Other Smokers. Being around smoking can make you want to smoke.

* Weight Gain. Many smokers will gain some weight when they quit, usually less than 10 pounds. Eat a healthy diet and stay active. Don't let weight gain distract you from your main goal—quitting smoking. Some quit-smoking medications may help delay weight gain.

* Bad Mood or Depression. There are a lot of ways to improve your mood other than smoking. Some quit-smoking medications also lessen depression.

quote:

ORIGINAL: zingo

here are a few checklist items to make sure you are ready!

• have you thrown away your extra cigarettes?
  
• discarded your ashtrays and lighters/matches?
  
• emptied the trash in all garbage cans? (you don't want that stale smell hanging about)
  
• searched thru every purse, bag, coat pocket, etc. looking for forgotten smokes?
  
• stocked up on gum, sugarless candy, toothpicks, etc?
  
• offered up your sincere desire to the Lord and asked for his help?
  

,

quote:

ORIGINAL: Hischild1994
For me quitting is very hard because I use smoking to avoid or deal with stressful situations.

quote:

ORIGINAL: JimboFletch

quote:

ORIGINAL: Hischild1994
For me quitting is very hard because I use smoking to avoid or deal with stressful situations.

Ask yourself how many problems have been fixed by a cigarette. I can only speak for myself, but tobacco has only ever served to feed my addiction. Nothing more.

You get free one craving, one minute, one hour, one day at a time. Each victory helps you realize that it is entirely up to your surrrender to trusting God to provide the means of escape from temptation, as His word affirms.

quote:

ORIGINAL: tysdaddy
I will quit one day.

quote:

ORIGINAL: myckey

So how is everyone doing???? I've failed miserably. I had 3 cigarettes yesterday. One today. But they're gone and I'm done. I'm carrying my scripture cards around with me.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Hischild1994

I had 4 or 5 cigarettes yesterday and I've had about that many today.

For me quitting is very hard because I use smoking to avoid or deal with stressful situations.

DH and I have been having many troubles and I only smoke outside. When he starts yelling at me, I've always walked outside and had a cigarette. He won't follow me because he (an ex-smoker) hates the smell. If I don't go outside and have a cigarette, then he continues to yell and if I do go outside and have a cigarette, I feel like I've failed.

quote:

ORIGINAL: JimboFletch

I am at Day 125 Nicotine Free. Day 222 tobacco free.

quote:

ORIGINAL: zingo

My own status - so far I am smoke free! Praise God. Yesterday was really no big deal but today was mighty tough! I spent 6 hours in the car for a business meeting and boy did I want to 'celebrate' on the drive home! hahaha. But I bought pretzels instead! (I think I will hate pretzels before this is over!). I also spent a great deal of time just praising God and giving thanks for everything I could think of. One of my other resolutions is to work on developing an 'attitude of gratitude'! And that helped alot! Anyway, as JimboFletch said...one craving at a time - one day at a time!

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mcdotigulawithcheese

I haven't had one all day. I am feeling fine.

quote:

ORIGINAL: JimboFletch

By God's grace and strength, I am at Day 127 Nicotine Free. Day 224 tobacco free.

quote:

ORIGINAL: JimboFletch

According to June 2000 U.S. Dept. of Health Guideline, the six-month odds of quitting “on-your-own” are roughly 10%. Education, behavioral training and ongoing support can more than double those odds. It’s important to note that 90% of successful quitters quit cold turkey.