:: Quit Cigarette Smoking :: 

REASONS FOR QUITTING

Quitting smoking is one of the most important things you will ever do. Here's why:

• You will live longer and live better.
• Quitting will lower your chance of having a heart attack, stroke, or cancer.
• If you are pregnant, quitting smoking will improve your chances of having a healthy baby.
• The people you live with, especially your children, will be healthier.
• You will have extra money to spend on things other than cigarettes.

SPECIAL SITUATIONS OR CONDITIONS TO CONSIDER

Studies suggest that everyone can quit smoking. Your situation or condition can give you a special reason to quit.

• Pregnant women/new mothers: By quitting, you protect your baby's health and your own.
• Hospitalized patients: By quitting, you reduce health problems and help healing.
• Heart attack patients: By quitting, you reduce your risk of a second heart attack.
• Lung, head, and neck cancer patients: By quitting, you reduce your chance of a second cancer.
• Parents of children and adolescents: By quitting, you protect your children and adolescents from illnesses caused by second-hand smoke.

  STARTING OUT

  When you first started smoking, it seemed like a cool, hip, sexy way of expressing your personality. All the coolest people you knew smoked, such as rock stars, movie stars, artists, thinkers, etc. etc. So why not you?                                    

  But now you're not so sure. It doesn't seem so cool to smoke anymore. Everyone around you has quit, and it seems like you're some kind of outcast. You want to change. You want to break the habit - butt out, and stay out. But every time you've tried to quit, something happens (and you don't really know what) and you end up smoking again. You want to break the cycle, but don't really know how.

  If you've had a hard time trying to quit (and staying smokefree), then this kit is for you. This kit will give you an actual program that you can follow to understand your own personal reasons to quit. And this kit will help you cope with the habit and addiction of smoking, and it will make sure you stay off cigarettes for good.
  
  Of course, you're probably wondering why this kit should work for you, when there are so many quit-smoking programs and guides out there. The reason why this kit will work for you is that it recognizes your individuality. In order to quit smoking, you need to know why you smoke in the first place, and then you need to know what people, places or things trigger your unique urge to light up. You may have many personal reasons to smoke:
   

  • You may be under a lot of stress at work
  • All of your friends smoke, so you can't escape
  • Smoking helps you keep your weight down
  • You are strongly addicted to cigarettes
  • You enjoy smoking and it is really a pleasurable activity for you
  • You don't have the willpower to quit
  • Smoking helps you feel relaxed and positive

  Once you know why you smoke, you can start working toward overcoming your individual obstacles - this is the surest road to become a nonsmoker for life.

  But you know that quitting is not actually the hardest part - the hardest part is sticking to it. The first two weeks are the hardest, and after that the first two months. This kit will show you how to cope.
  
  Congratulations! You're about to become a nonsmoker. This kit is your first step toward quitting. You are on your way to doing one of the best things you can do for yourself, and the people around you. Welcome to the smoke-free life.

  THE PROFILE OF A SMOKER - THIS IS YOU

  As you might suspect, smokers come in all varieties and attitudes. But generally speaking, there's a lot of confusion and conflict about the role that smoking plays in the lives of smokers. On the one hand, they see smoking as a pleasant, relaxing and helpful personal ritual that provides unidentifiable benefits. On the other hand, smokers know that smoking is a serious health-hazard, which in all likelihood will end up killing them. Let's look at some of the typical varieties of smokers and see if you are one of these.

  The Health-Concerned Smoker:

  This type of smoker is very much aware of the dangers of smoking and all the many negative side-effects. However, he/she still cannot bring himself to quit. Experts believe that if you quit today, you will easily add seven years to your life.

  Smokers Who Feel Guilty:
  
  Many smokers feel guilty about their habit. And this feeling increases the longer they smoke. Those who tried to quit and failed feel guilty far more than those who have not tried to quit. And smokers who have children at home feel the guiltiest because they are "polluting" the air their children breathe. Guilt can often turn into self-hatred.

  Smokers Who Respect Nonsmokers:

  Many smokers are very sensitive to other people who do not smoke. A large majority of smokers refrain from smoking when they are with people who do not smoke, and most ask for permission to smoke while visiting a nonsmoking friend. In fact, many smokers feel that smoking should be regulated or banned at the workplace.

  Smoking As A Working Class Habit:

  Among the general population, it is now understood that the more affluent and better educated people do not smoke. It is estimated that 50% of men who have blue-collar jobs smoke, compared to 26% of professional men. Also, some 32% of those who did not graduate from high school smoked, while the figure for college graduates was only 19%. In other words, smoking is a blue collar habit, since fewer people in white collar professions smoke.

  Smokers As A Persecuted Minority:

  Since there is a widespread change in attitude toward smoking, many smokers feel like a persecuted minority. Many smokers point to smoking as creating a problem in their romantic relationships, even leading to breakup.

  Antismoker Discrimination In The Workplace:

  Many smokers feel that they are discriminated against at work because of their habit. Here is a reason behind this attitude, since smokers as a rule have a higher rate of absenteeism, they have an increased risk of death, they have decreased productivity, they have an increased rate of maintenance, and smokers damage the environment for their nonsmoking co-workers.

  Smokers Want More Control:

  The majority of smokers want more control over their habit. Over 90% want to quit, and about 84% have made a serious attempt at quitting.

  Smokers As Outcasts:

  Being a smoker nowadays is like being an outcast, because the attitudes of nonsmokers have changed drastically. Backing these attitudes is the great amount of evidence that cigarette smoke is harmful to nonsmokers.

  Nonsmokers Have Become More Assertive:

  In addition to their own feelings of confusion and guilt, smokers also have to deal with an increasing number of anti-smoking messages and a much more open display of anti-smoking feelings. Within recent years 39 states have passed laws prohibiting or limiting smoking in public places. Also, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners recently adopted a resolution urging insurance companies to raise smokers' insurance premiums by roughly 50%.
  
  Why Smokers Can't Quit:

  The period of withdrawal poses a powerful barrier to quitting. As well, smokers often have many positive benefits that they associate with smoking. Here are some positive benefits that most smokers associate with smoking. Are any of these yours as well?
   

  1. Smoking helps me deal with stressful situations.
  2. Smoking gives me a pleasant and enjoyable break from work.
  3. Smoking helps me unwind and relax.
  4. Smoking helps me deal with painful or unpleasant situations.
  5. Smoking prevents unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
  6. Smoking helps me deal with an overstimulating environment.
  7. I enjoy the physical sensation of lighting and handling a cigarette.
  8. Smoking increases my enjoyment of pleasant experiences.
  9. Smoking helps me feel comfortable in social situations.
  10. Smoking helps me concentrate.

  Planning to Quit:

  The majority of smokers believe that they will eventually quit, but they must choose their own time to quit, and most do so at a time when life is less stressful, and support for quitting is available.

  How to Help a Smoker:

  Most friends of smokers do not do a good job of helping take control of the habit. The most common strategy is to nag a smoker into quitting. But this tactic usually has the opposite effect. Nagging just makes smokers smoke more, it seems.  Here are some hints that friends can use to encourage smokers to quit:

   

  • Don't nag, insult, or try to shame the smoker into quitting.
  • Let the smoker know that he/she is valued as a person.
  • Listen non-judgmentally.
    Try to understand what benefits the smoker derives from this very seductive habit. Try to see the problem through the smokers' eyes.
  • Praise the smoker for even the smallest efforts to cut down or quit.

  Perhaps you have found something that you can relate to in the twelve categories. The main point is to provide you with enough information to help you quit. The most frequently mentioned areas of concern that smokers mention when they try to deal with quitting are the following:
   

  1. How to stay a nonsmoker after I quit.
  2. The most effective way to quit.
  3. The most effective way to cut down.
  4. How to get ready to quit.
  5. Are there special needs for vitamins for smokers?
  6. How to find out if I am a high-risk or low-risk smoker.
  7. What smoking does to a smoker's body.
  8. Dealing with weight gain after I quit.
  9. What withdrawal symptoms will I face after I quit.
  10. How can I cut my smoking risk through better stress management.

  Whether you smoke or not is your choice. But to make that choice effectively you must consider your alternatives, and the benefits and hazards of each.

  In quitting smoking (as in life) there are no magical cures or quick fixes. There are, however, some pretty powerful tools, many of them not widely known.

  As a health-concerned smoker, you can take control of your smoking. Your spouse, family, your friends, your physician, and others in your home and community can provide important tools, caring, and support. But the key to success is for you to take primary responsibility to make the changes you desire.

  Give yourself as much time as you need. Don't let anyone push you into attempting to quit before you feel ready.
  
  You're going to do it your way. So let's start!

  QUITTING PROGRAM – THE FAST TRACK

  Studies have shown that these five steps will help you quit and quit for good. You have the best chances of quitting if you use them together:

  1. Get Ready
     • Set a quit date.
     • Change your environment.
     • Get rid of ALL cigarettes and ashtrays in your home, car, and place of work.
     • 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 family, friends, and coworkers that you are going to quit 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 and other fluids.
  4. Get Medication and Use It Correctly

     Medications can help you stop smoking and lessen the urge to smoke.

     • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved five medications to help you quit smoking:
       1. Bupropion SR—Available by prescription.
       2. Nicotine gum—Available over-the-counter.
       3. Nicotine inhaler—Available by prescription.
       4. Nicotine nasal spray—Available by prescription.
       5. Nicotine patch—Available by prescription and over-the-counter.
     • Ask your health care provider for advice and carefully read the information on the package.
     • All of these medications will more or less double your chances of quitting and quitting for good.
     • Everyone who is trying to quit may benefit from using a medication. 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.
       
        
  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.

  More Information about medications to help you quit smoking:

  Nicotine Patch

  The nicotine patch is applied to your skin. Over a prolonged period of time, the nicotine dissolves right through the skin and enters the body. Nicotine from the patch replaces some of the nicotine you were getting from cigarettes. This can relieve some of the physical symptoms associated with quitting smoking, so you can concentrate on your behavioral and psychological addiction to cigarettes.

  Nicotine Gum

  This is a drug in gum form, with enough nicotine to reduce your urge to smoke. The gum releases small amounts of nicotine, which is absorbed into the body through the mucous membranes of the mouth. This cuts down on withdrawal symptoms and makes it easier to break the smoking addiction.

  Freedom Smokelyzer System

  Quit smoking with the Freedom Smokerlyzer® System. The first ever quitting plan to include a complete guide to stop smoking and a personal Breath Tester as used by health professionals in Stop Smoking Clinics.

  The Freedom Smokerlyzer® System consists of a Personal Breath Tester and a comprehensive quitting plan which contains all the information you need to escape from tobacco and stay smoke free. With this unique system, you can check your level of nicotine dependence and monitor your recovery day by day.

  • Quitting Plan: Written specifically for use with the Personal Breath Tester, by Nicola Willis MSc, an expert in stop smoking techniques and Editor of STOP!- the only magazine for smokers who want to quit. It is based on the latest clinical research evidence and will guide you through all aspects of the quitting process. You'll also find the answers to all your quitting problems and questions in the handy A to Z section.

  • Personal Breath Tester: Based on a clinical measuring system used by health professionals in Stop Smoking clinics aroung the world. It's quick, easy to use and is available for personal use for the first time.

   Nicotrol

  For people who smoke more than 10 cigarettes a day.

  • Stop Smoking Aid

  • Nicotine transdermal system 15mg delivered over 16 hours.

  • Step 1: For use during weeks 1-6.

  Contents include: 

  • 7 patches-One week supply.

  • Audiotape.

  • Taking Action booklet.

  • Tip Card.

  • Staying Smoke-Free booklet.

  Zyban

  The quit smoking medication  Zyban is  the trade-name for a sustained-release tablet of bupropion hydrochloride. The same drug has been sold under the trade-name Wellbutrin SR. Now it’s being marketed as the first non-nicotine prescription treatment for smoking addiction.
  
  How does the pill work for smokers? The drug boosts the body’s levels of two “brain chemicals,” dopamine and norepinephrine – the same thing happens with nicotine. Actions of these chemicals in the brain give people a sense of energy and well-being. Nicotine produces the same feelings.

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  T H E   E N D  .  T H A N K   Y O U  !  &   A L L   T H E  V E R Y  B E S T !

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