Make the decision
Making the decision to quit smoking is not easy but it is necessary if you want to improve your health and that of the people around you. Some people try to stop the habit three or four times before they eventually succeed because apart from the physical addition, smokers also have to deal with the emotional and social ties that are broken when they stop. The nicotine found in the cigarettes is a very strong chemical and it is believed to be as addictive as cocaine and heroine.
For some female smokers, the decision to quit smoking can be quite difficult because they believe that once they have stopped the habit, they will put on a lot of weight. Most people who quit smoking gain weight but this is not a very big problem compared to the health risks you expose yourself to when you smoke.
Set a date to quit smoking
Once you have decided you actually want to quit smoking, select a particular date that you will stop the habit. Make sure you dispose all your cigarettes, lighters and ashtrays before the date you have set reaches. Inform all your friends and family members they are not allowed to smoke in your presence. You should also have a list of reasons for quitting. Keep this list with you all the time so that it can serve as a reminder each time you feel the urge to smoke.
Get external help
If you think that you will not be able to quit smoking without some help, you can consult your doctor for some medication to help you stop the habit. Most of the medications that are prescribed for smokers have small doses of nicotine. It is easier to quit when you get counseling and medication. There are various medications you can use and they can be combined to meet your specific needs. The most common one is a nicotine patch that is placed on the skin and provides a controlled amount of nicotine. Some smokers use a nicotine inhaler which absorbs the chemical through the throat and mouth.
Counseling is also important when you decide to quit smoking because it increases the success rates. The counseling can offer practical skills you can use to cope with the withdrawal symptoms that are related to quitting smoking. The counseling can be done in groups, over the phone or when you are just by yourself. Make sure you get the counseling during the initial months because this can help you to succeed.
Support from family and friends
Once you decide to quit smoking, it helps to get support from those who are close to you. This includes your family, friends and colleagues. You also need to get alternative activities that will prevent you from smoking once you decide to quit smoking. You can join the gym, take walks, read or enjoy a hot bath each time you have an urge to smoke. It is also important to prepare yourself for failure because it takes a few tries before most people can be able to quit smoking for good.