Smoking Cessation
Quit smoking basics
Tobacco is a killer. Smokers and other tobacco users are more likely to develop disease and die earlier than are people who don’t use tobacco. If you smoke, you may worry about what it’s doing to your health. You probably worry too about how hard it might be to quit smoking. Nicotine is highly addictive, and to quit smoking — especially without help — can be difficult. In fact, most people don’t succeed the first time they try to quit smoking. It may take more than one try, but you can stop smoking.
Take that first step: Decide to quit smoking. Set a stop date. And then take advantage of the multitude of resources available to help you successfully quit smoking.
Quit-smoking action plan
Now that you’ve decided to quit smoking, it’s time to map out your quit-smoking action plan. One of the first steps of your quit-smoking action plan should be “Get support.”
Support can come from family, friends, your doctor, a counselor, a support group or a telephone quitline. Support can also come from use of one or more of the medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration for smoking cessation.
Another key step in your quit-smoking action plan? Planning for challenges. For example, make a list of high-risk places you’ll want to avoid when you start your quit-smoking plan. Think of other places to go where smoking isn’t allowed, such as a shopping mall, a museum or movie
