How to Quit Smoking Quickly & Safely

The decision to quit smoking is one thing -- actually quitting is completely different. According to the American Cancer Society, smoking is the cause of one in five deaths in the U.S., and nearly 8.6 million people suffer from smoking-related lung and heart diseases. Quitting smoking can be incredibly difficult because of nicotine addition that takes hold over time, but don't give up. You can successfully quit quickly and safely, but you must remember it takes patience and a lot of willpower.

Instructions

• 1

  Plan a quit day. Pick a date no more than 30 days away to quit. According to the American Cancer Society, this prevents having too much time to think about your decision to quit smoking and potentially talking yourself out of it.

• 2

  Tell friends and family about your decision to quit smoking. A good support system will help you during this very difficult time. You may have friends who have quit smoking who can offer advice.

• 3

  Buy substitutes for cigarettes. Stock up before your quit day. Gum, hard candy and toothpicks are good substitutes when you feel the urge to place a cigarette in your mouth. These items may provide some of the oral gratification you get from a cigarette while keeping you busy chewing or sucking on something rather than puffing on a cigarette.

• 4

  Join a support group. You can call Nicotine Anonymous at 877-879-6422 or go to the Nicotine Anonymous website and click "Meetings" to find a group in your area. Alternatively, you can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW to speak with a counselor. Counselors can provide resources to help you quit smoking and can help you find a support group in your area.

• 5

  Start a new activity or rekindle an interest in something you used to love doing. Activities focus your energy on something besides your cigarette cravings and potentially help you meet new people who are non-smokers. Sports are a great way to burn extra energy and become healthier in the process.

• 6

  Make a list of smoking triggers and how you can resist them. For example, going to a bar may make you want to light up a cigarette. Find new places to frequent that you don't associate with smoking, such as going to a park. If you smoke after dinner because you have nothing better to do, find something else to do.

• 7

  Manage your stress levels. Stress can cause you to reach for a cigarette. If you feel stressed, stop what you are doing and take several deep breaths. Breathe out slowly and try to relax. Do this whenever you feel stress coming on.

• 8

  Allow for a relapse. Smoking is one of the most difficult addictions. Do not blame yourself. Focus on ways to alleviate any triggers. Remind yourself that quitting smoking is difficult and that you may have a few relapses before you are able to quit for good.