Tips That Will Help You Quit Smoking Painlessly

There are many smokers out there who desperately want to quit but don’t quite know where to start. Smoking is expensive, smelly and hazardous to your health, so quitting is the best thing you can do for yourself. The tips below will get you on the way to living without cigarettes.

Before you quit smoking, try switching brands for a while first. A different brand than you are used to can create a distaste for cigarettes, making it easier to give them up. For instance, if you do not smoke a menthol cigarette, try one with a strong menthol taste and make yourself smoke them instead of your regular brand for a week or so.

Then, start cutting back on the amount of cigarettes you smoke each day. Quitting cold turkey works well for some people, but for others, it is so stressful, they end up desperately grabbing for a cigarette and starting the habit all over again. If you smoke a pack per day, for example, try cutting back by ten cigarettes each day. This will help you to break the addiction to nicotine slowly.

Replace smoking with a more healthy habit. There are many things that can help to keep your mind off of smoking, try Keeping a large bottle of water to sip on available at all times. Sugarless hard candy to suck on, or chewing gum gives your mouth something to do as well. To keep your fingers busy, try working crosswords or whittling to pass the time. Try anything healthy that will keep you from reaching for a smoke.

Make it difficult for yourself to smoke. You can frequent non-smoking establishments instead of smoky bars and clubs. Try a movie or the theater where smoking is not allowed. And, most importantly, keep your home and car free from cigarettes. You may want to go so far as to have your car detailed to eliminate the smell and memory of smoking.

Consult your doctor about medical help to stop smoking. He may be able to prescribe nicotine patches, medications or other treatments that can help you to have an easier time leaving cigarettes behind. There are also many over-the-counter products, such as nicotine chewing gum, that can help as well.

Make a list of reasons to quit smoking. Among these could be: Keeping your family healthy, living a longer life, improving the looks of your teeth and mouth and the expense of cigarettes. Add to the list when something comes to mind, and have a family member read it to you frequently so that the message really hits home!

One of the two best reasons to quit smoking are lung cancer and heart disease. Smoking puts you at a significantly higher risk for these two potential killers than people who don’t smoke. Check out the statistics, and find some pictures of a smoker’s lungs, and you will see why it is vital that you stop as soon as possible.

Kicking the habit may be one of the most difficult things you will ever do. However, it will definitely be one of the most important choices you will ever make. Keep these tips handy for reference, and make the commitment to quit today!