The 5 Keys to Quit Smoking

Studies have shown that you have the best chances to quit smoking for good if you use these five steps together.

1 - Get ready;
2 - Get Support;
3 - Learn new skills and behaviors;
4 - Get medication and use it correctly;
5 - Be prepared for relapse or difficult situations.

1. Get Ready: Set a quit date. Change your environments; get rid of all cigarettes and ashtrays in your home, car, and place of work....and, DON'T let people smoke in your home. Review your past attempts to quit. Think about what worked and what did not. Once you quit, don't smoke - Not even a PUFF!

2. Get Support and Encouragement: Studies have shown that you have a better chance of being successful if you have help. You can get support in many ways; tell your friends, co-workers and your family that you have quit smoking and want their support. Ask them not to smoke around you or leave cigarettes out. Talk to your health care provider (for example: doctor, dentist, nurse, pharmacist, psychologist, or smoking counselor). Get individual, group, or telephone counseling. The more counseling you have, the better your chances are of quitting. Programs are given at local hospitals and health centers. Call your local health department for information about programs in your area.

3. Learn New Skills and Behaviors: Try to distract yourself from urges to smoke. Talk to someone, go for a walk, or get busy with a task. When you first try to quit, change your routine; use a different route to work, drink tea instead of coffee, eat breakfast in a different place. Do something to reduce your stress; take a hot bath, exercise, or read a book. Plan something enjoyable to do every day. Drink a lot of water. Study educational information that will teach you why you smoke and the ways that will help you quit.

4. Get Medication and Use It Correctly: Medication can lessen the urge to smoke and help you to stop smoking. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as of January 2006, has approved five medications to help you quit smoking:

- Bupropion SR: available by prescription - Nicotine gum: available over-the-counter - Nicotine inhaler: available by prescription - Nicotine nasal spray: available by prescription - Nicotine patch: available by prescription and over-the-counter There is also all-natural nicotine replacement (herps - not medicine).

Ask your health care provider for advice and carefully read the information on the package. All of these will more or less double your chances of quitting and quitting for good. The use of medication is something that everyone who is trying to quit may benefit from. If you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, nursing, under age 18, smoking fewer than 10 cigarettes per day, or have a medical condition, talk to your doctor or other health care provider before taking medications. It is always best to consult with a health care professional under any circumstances.

5. Be Prepared For Relapse or Difficult Situations: Most relapses occur within the first 3 months after quitting. Don't be discouraged if you start smoking again. Remember, most people try several times before they finally quit. Here are some difficult situations to watch for:

- Alcohol. Avoid drinking alcohol. Drinking lowers your chances of success.

- Other Smokers. Being around smoking can make you want to smoke.

- Weight Gain. Many smokers will gain weight when they quit, usually less than 10 pounds. Eat a healthy diet and stay active. Don't let weight gain distract you from your main goal; quitting smoking. Some quit-smoking medications may help delay weight gain.

- Bad Mood or Depression. There are a lot of ways to improve your mood other than smoking. If you are having problems with any of these situations, talk to your doctor or other health care provider.

Questions To Think About: Think about the following questions. Talking to your health care provider about your answers is something you may want to do.

Why do you want to quit? When you tried to quit in the past, what helped and what didn't? What will be the most difficult situations for you after you quit? How will you plan to handle them? Who can help you through the tough times? Your family? Friends? Health care provider? What pleasures do you get from smoking? What ways can you still get pleasure if you quit?

You CAN Quit!