Stop Smoking - Hard But Worth it
Most people know and accept that smoking is not a good habit to form and that it causes health issues for smokers and people around them. But the fact is quitting smoking is one of the hardest things to do, and maintaining the willpower to stay away from the habit is hard for a long time after. Some ex-smokers admit that even years later, while they are glad they did it they sometimes wish for a cigarette still! In the past the aids you had available to help quit were minimal. Today it is better with various gums, patches, medications and also swapping to using an e cigarette. With the right tool and some strong determination, it is possible.
Smoking in New Zealand
In New Zealand about 12% of teenagers and adults fifteen plus are smokers. Rates of smoking are greatly reduced with a drop of 11% in 15 to 17-year-olds and a drop of 6% overall. Smoking is not just bad because of the risks of various cancers, there are also increased risks of heart attacks, strokes, breathing issues, emphysema, and more. This risk is not just to the person smoking but to people breathing in secondhand smoke when you smoke around them.
Have a goal
The key to being successful when you decide to quit is to have an achievable goal in mind that you can completely focus on. If you are opting to cut down gradually have a deadline for when you will be completely off traditional cigarettes and stick to it. Sometimes it helps to tell people. They can remind you, support you by not smoking around you if they are smokers, or offering you one when they do light up. You can try moving to an electronic cigarette and aim to reduce how much nicotine you have in your e-liquid. You can also talk to your doctor about your desire to quit and ask about what advice and support they can offer.
Do what you have to in the first harder days and weeks
The first days are the hardest but for some, that remains true into a few weeks as well. That is why quitting is so hard and why many smokers try to give up many times before something sticks. In those early days use all the tricks you can to ease the craving and distract yourself. Choose an e cigarette and you can mimic a lot of the actions and use it at the same times as you used to smoke a cigarette. You can also try the gums, patchers and such to see if they help, just avoid trying everything at once as you could end up taking in more nicotine than your body is used to!
Take advantage of quit smoking programs
You do not have to stop smoking on your own. It has been found in fact that more smokers who turn to friends or programs for support stay off the cigarettes than those who try to do it alone. Quitting with a group of people means you have people you can call or talk to about what you are struggling with and get tips on getting through the hardest times. You might also talk about quit smoking devices like the electronic cigarette.
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