Cigarette smoking, and even smoking cigars or a pipe, is one of the greatest risk factors for a heart attack as well as for stroke, lung cancer, and emphysema.
To stop smoking:
- Set a quit date. Smoking cessation is most successful when it's done "cold turkey," not slowly by reducing the number of cigarettes smoked daily.
- Throw them out. Throw away all cigarettes and matches at home, in your car, and at work. Put away ash trays and lighters.
- Share your goal. Tell your family and friends you're quitting and ask for their support.
- Avoid triggers. Avoid alcohol, coffee, and other triggers for smoking.
- Set a no-smoking policy. Do not allow anyone to smoke in your home or car, and avoid other people when they are smoking.
- Get tools. Take advantage of the available stop-smoking aids: nicotine replacements, drug therapy, and counseling. Less than 1 in 10 smokers can quit without some help. Nicotine gums, skin patches, and lozenges are available over the counter. Nicotine nasal sprays and inhalers require a prescription from your doctor. Don't smoke when using these products.
- Get a prescription. Bupropion (Zyban) and varenicline (Chantix) are two prescription-only medications that may help you quit. Start taking one of these drugs shortly before your quit date.
- Join a support group. Find a source of individual or group counseling. Counseling alone can be helpful, but it is particularly useful in combination with nicotine replacements or smoking cessation drugs.
- Call the Quit Line. Call the National Cancer Institute Smoking Quit Line if you need more help. Their toll-free number is 1-877-44U-QUIT.
Though these measures and help aids considerably boost the chances of quitting, there's a more than 50 percent chance that a smoker who quits will start again. I hope this doesn't happen to you, but if it does, don't give up. Announce another quit date and start stopping again.
