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Common Ways
to Stop Smoking

Despite efforts to reduce smoking in America, results have not been shown to be effective. Regardless of the ad campaigns and education about smoking, people continue to smoke. Cigarettes are the number one killer in America. Smoking dramatically increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, high blood pressure. Cigarettes are continually raising in price, yet many avid smokers are not deterred. Smoking a pack a day can cost upwards of $2,500 a year – more in some areas of the country.

Even with all the evidence about the harmful effects of smoking, millions still enjoy this habit. This is due to the highly addictive nature of nicotine. Apart from the physical nicotine addiction, smoking provides a psychological comfort to many. To most, the idea of quitting is overwhelming.

Effects of Smoking Cigarrettes

Smoking reduces the appetite, and raises blood sugar levels. People who just started smoking report feeling more alert and have better memory recall. However, the World Health Organization warns that tobacco smoking was the cause of death for over 100 million people last century, and the stakes for the 21st century are set at 100 billion.

It may take an individual more than one attempt to stop smoking. Studies show that the average smoker achieves quitting smoking anywhere between their seventh to fifteenth attempt. Even in the face life-threatening health issues, people continue to smoke due to the power of nicotine addiction.

Tobacco-related Diseases Include:

  • Cancer
  • Emphysema
  • Cardiovascular disease

How to Quit Smoking

If smoking is such a detrimental addiction that so many find themselves caught in, how does a person quit smoking forever? There are several over-the-counter medications, such as nicotine patches and gum, and anti-depressants that assist the quitting process. These medications, coupled with positive support, have shown significant smoking abstinence results. Motivational counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, hypnotherapy,and an affirmative group setting have all demonstrated effectiveness.

Successful Methods to Quit Smoking Include:

  • Cold Turkey, or giving up smoking and tobacco use entirely on willpower without the aid of nicotine medication. Statistics confirm 80-90% of heavy smokers have terminated tobacco use through this method
  • Support groups found on the Internet, and over the phone at 1-800-QUIT-NOW are available
  • Craving, urges, and withdrawal symptoms can be helped with the use of nicotine replacements like nicotine patches, sprays, gum, and mints. However, long-term quitting is best achieved if the nicotine replacements are used for the allotted eight to ten weeks
  • The antidepressant Zyban helps with the moodiness, and urges of tobacco withdrawals
  • Chantix, a nicotinic receptor antagonist, has shown success rate in the recent year

Alternative Quitting Methods Include:

Smoking hypnotherapy is a popular method which helps individuals to recognize the psychological triggers of smoking, and the control smoking has over an individual. Applying the smoking help above will assist anyone who wants to quit smoking.

The U.S. Surgeon General Gives Five Tips on Quitting Smoking:

  1. Get ready
  2. Get support
  3. Learn new skills and behaviors
  4. Get and use medicine
  5. Know the warning signs of relapse

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