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You Can Quit!
It’s never too late to quit and there's
never an easy time to do it. So quit now, right now, put down
that cigarette, it's so easy to smoke them while on the computer.
To quit, you need to break your addiction to nicotine and
to the habit of smoking -- which also includes the pleasure
you get from smoking.
I think some people are addicted to everything
that goes along with the act of smoking; lighting that match
or lighter, the manual and oral pleasure, no wonder it's so
darn hard. Your habits are the behaviors that go with your
tobacco use, such as lighting a cigarette when you get out
of work or school, when you walk the dog, after dinner, in
the morning or whatever your personal smoking behaviors are.
Reasons Not to Smoke (You know them..)
Cancer Risk! - Lung cancer kills more women than breast
cancer every year in the U.S.
MONEY! It’s expensive (over $1000 a year for a pack
a day, an estimation, it can be more)
Bad breath -- others do smell it
Stained teeth and fingers
Cough/sore throat
Breathing problems
Fatigue
Wrinkles (more, sooner than people who don't smoke)
Arguments with parents, friends who want you to stop smoking.
Heart disease risk, including heart attack, no you’re
not too young.
Gum disease risk
It stinks up your clothes, hair, skin, car, pets, it goes
on and on...
Cigarette burns on your clothes or in the house, car, wherever
Risk of second hand smoke to people around you (and your pets
too)
Nonsmokers don’t like kissing smokers. There is nothing
sexy about smoking.
Ways To Make Quitting Easier (It’s Not Easy
For Most People)
Pick a date to stop, if you can’t
stop today. Choose one two to four weeks from now so you can
get ready to quit. If possible, choose a time when things
in your life will change, like when you're about to start
a break from school. Or just pick a time when you don’t
expect any extra stress at school, work or home. Of course
life is very unpredictable so you just can't wait for there
to be NO stress in your life. Wouldn't that be easy.
Make a list of the reasons why you want
to quit. Keep that list available so you can look at it when
you have a nicotine craving. Make a list of what you like
about smoking also.
Keep a record of where, when and why you
smoke. You may want to make notes for a week or so to know
ahead of time when and why you will crave a cigarette. Plan
what you will do instead of smoking (see list above for ideas).
You may also want to plan what you'll say to people who pressure
you to smoke.
Throw or give away all of your tobacco.
Clean out your room if you have smoked there. Throw or give
away your ashtrays and lighters, just get them out of your
house and or room.
Tell your friends that you ’re quitting.
Ask them not to pressure you about smoking. Find other things
to do with them besides smoking. If you have to avoid being
around people who smoke, do that for a while. But do let friends
know why you are avoiding them. You’re doing this for
YOU, not them.
When your stop date arrives, STOP. Plan
little rewards for yourself for each tobacco-free day, week
or month. Buy yourself a new top, get some new chewing gum,
ask a friend to see a movie. Take a friend to get your favorite
dessert or decaf... whatever.
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