How to Quit Smoking

I'm not a smoker and never have been. However my husband was a smoker for over a decade and finally managed to give up two years ago. Here's his tips and suggestions for quitting smoking, based on his own experience.

First things first. Congratulate yourself. Making the decision to stop smoking is hard in itself.

STEP ONE: OBSERVING AND RECORDING YOUR SMOKING HABITS AND PATTERNS

And now that you have made the decision to quit smoking, don't stop smoking immediately! Wait a few days. You need to observe and record all your smoking pattern and habits for at least a week before you actually stop. Recognising and recording what you do you do in the next few days is crucial to you being able to quit smoking. Things you need to record are:

a. What hand you hold your cigarette in

b. Implements you use to help you smoke e.g. cigarette holder

c. What lighters you use or what matches, the colour of your lighter, the make of your matches.

d. Record the times that you actually smoke over a week long period. Monday 8.30. After breakfast morning tea 11.p.m., etc.

e. Each time you smoke record the names of the people you smoke with and the times that you smoke with them.

f. Record also when you smoke by yourself.

g. If you find yourself smoking at other then your normal times record the reasons for this

e.g. stress, social occasion etc.

STEP TWO: CHANGE YOUR SMOKING PATTERNS AND HABITS

So now that you know and recognise your patterns, change them! Try smoking with the other hand, use a different colored lighter. Experiment by smoking in a dark room. Smoking is usually a visual habit. If you smoke in darkened room you won't see the smoke and thus get the same satisfaction. Try this for a day or two. You should reduce your cigarette consumption without thinking about it.

Try sitting with non smokers during work breaks. And don't go to places which encourage your smoking habit e.g. bars.

STEP THREE: PREPARE FOR COMPLETE WITHDRAWAL.

Now its time for more action!