Before anything else, you’ve got to congratulate yourself for deciding to quit smoking today. It’s probably one of the best, life-changing decisions you have made in your lifetime. Quitting smoking now would improve many aspects of your life – your health and fitness, finance, and relationship.

But the real challenge has just begun. Quitting smoking comes with withdrawal symptoms. Depending on your level of nicotine addiction, you may experience all the symptoms or you may experience just a few.

Here are the things you should expect during the smoking cessation period:

First Seven Days

Intense Craving

The first and perhaps the hardest part of quitting smoking is overcoming cigarette craving. Hours after your last cigarette, expect to crave for it. It’s really hard. Sometimes, it won’t get off your mind. The good news however is this – there are plenty of ways to deal with nicotine cravings. Here are some of the most proven techniques:

• Exercise.
• Avoid going to places where there are smokers.
• Drink more water.
• Breathe in and out for a couple of times when craving for cigarettes

According to studies, craving only lasts for up to 10 minutes. After this, it goes back to normal. Over time, after several days, you will notice that your craving for cigarettes will start to decline until it doesn’t bother you anymore.

Irritability and Anxiety

This is still connected to nicotine craving. When craving is not addressed, this can lead to a significant drop in your mood, which in turn makes you anxious and irritable. Many smokers who try to quit went back to smoking because they can’t handle the psychological effects of smoking cessation. But actually, it isn’t the irritability or anxiety that is to blame. It’s the lack of preparation and planning. Mood swings and other negative emotions are not justifiable reasons to stop quitting. Talk to a therapist or take medication such as Chantix to fight nicotine craving and get rid of the undesirable psychological symptoms.

Physical Symptoms

Quitting smoking also comes with a fleet of undesirable physical symptoms such as headache, fatigue, upset stomach, chest discomfort, flu, and so much more. These are all the outcome of stress that you may experience while trying to overcome nicotine craving. But by practicing proper relaxation techniques, eating right, exercising and giving yourself enough space to chill and unwind, you can get through all these physical symptoms effectively.

7-21 Days

If you reached this point, congrats again! As days pass by, the closer you get to your goal. The first week is always the toughest part. But once you get through it, you can relax a bit. On your seventh day and onwards, you will still experience cigarette craving but it’s going to be milder than the first seven days. As your craving subsides, so does the other withdrawal symptoms. But don’t be too confident. You may still slip. You may still get back to smoking. Just continue with your treatment, avoid being with smokers and going to places where smoking is allowed, and follow a healthy and active lifestyle. That day will finally come that you are going to wake up one day, not even remembering that you were a smoker once.

HELP to Quit Smoking:

• Smoking and Bad Breath: Top 6 Reasons Why Cigarettes Cause Bad Breath
• I need to Quit Smoking But I’m Not Ready Yet, What Will I Do?
• 6 Easy Ways to Quit Smoking
• 3 Steps How to Quit Addiction (Smoking) Now
• 5 People to Help You Quit

Is there any reason why cigarettes cause bad breath? Yes. There are, in fact, several reasons why cigarette smoking is linked to halitosis. This article discusses smoking and bad breath connection in details. Ready? Here we go.

1. Cigarettes leave smoke particles in your throat and lungs. The most immediate reason why cigarette smoking causes bad breath is because some particles of the smoke are left in your throat and lungs. The smell of tobacco can linger in the lungs for hours. That’s why even if you brush your teeth after smoking, you still can smell it when you talk or exhale.
2. Chemicals in tobacco stay even longer in your mouth. Tobacco contains over 4,000 chemicals, most of which are toxic and induce the growth of bacteria. Nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes do not leave your teeth, tongue and gums easily. They stay even after several episodes of mouth washing. This leads to a host of secondary causes of bad breath. Nicotine, in particular, creates a thin film on your teeth that becomes a breeding ground of bacteria that cause bad breath.
3. Tobacco contains over 60 aromatic hydrocarbons. For so long, experts have been trying to figure out what exactly it is in tobacco that causes bad breath. In a study published in the journal Chemical, scientists discovered more than 60 aromatic hydrocarbons that contribute to bad breath. They also found that these compounds can cause cancer.
4. More bad-breath causing compounds are produced when you light up a cigarette. Aside from the innate hydrocarbons, more toxic gaseous compounds are formed when you burn tobacco, which also release awful fumes. These include 2-ethyl pyridine, dimethyl pyrazine and ethyl pyrrole.
5. It dries up your palate. Don’t think that the smoking and bad breath connection stops there. Smoking also causes your palate to dry out. Well, repeatedly inhaling hot gases dries up your saliva, leaving your tongue and gums dry. Ask any dentist and they will tell you that saliva is important in keeping off odor-causing bacteria in your mouth. So when it’s dry, expect to have bad breath. That’s how simple it is.
6. Smoke itself smells bad. Most of all, cigarette smoke itself smells so awful and even long-time smokers would agree to this. The problem is that over time, they become immune to the smell of cigarette smoke (and to their breath as well) so they really don’t mind it. But for those who don’t smoke, the smell of a smoker’s breath is really a BIG turn-off!

Fortunately, it is possible to reverse bad breath caused by smoking. You can do it by quitting smoking today. As days pass by, you will notice that your breath starts to smell better. It’s also recommended to see a dentist to undergo thorough oral cleaning to remove  cigarettes stains that cause bad breath.

Stopping smoking now does not only freshen up your breath. Most importantly, it cuts your risk of many life-threatening diseases, including cancer.

HELP to Quit Smoking:

• 3 Steps How to Quit Addiction (Smoking) Now
• 5 People to Help You Quit
• Quit Smoking Timeline: 3 Things to Expect During the Smoking Cessation Period
• 5 Ways on How You Can Quit Smoking by Playing Your Favorite Sport
• 5 Easy Ways to Get Rid of Smokers Breath

You have lots of reasons to quit. But you’re still looking for more to motivate yourself in giving up the habit. Aside from looking at the pictures of cancerous lungs, fully damaged liver and kidneys, and dying people here are other 5 motivating reasons to quit.

1.  Smoking affects your career.

Smokers are becoming less attractive for many companies. These days, some employers don’t even consider hiring a smoking applicant. There are many reasons for this. First, smokers take longer breaks than non-smokers. Second, they are more likely to get absent due to health-related issues. That’s lead to the third reason – smokers cost more to insure. Many companies are also being required to construct designated smoking areas just to accommodate smoking personnel and that means they have to shell out money for the not-so-productive employees and staff.

 2.  Smoking isn’t sexy at all.

What is so sexy about smoking? Smoking causes bad breath and wrinkles. It dries up your skin. It darkens your lips and stains your teeth. Not only that. Smoking has been scientifically proven to cause impotence and other fertility issues such as erectile dysfunction, low sperm count, and decline in libido.

 3.  Smoking decreases the value of your car.

Do you used to smoke while driving? If you do, you are actually reducing the value of your car. The smoke coming from your cigarette damages your vehicle’s dashboard and upholstery. You may not even notice the small burns and stains. And that little pine tree-shaped deodorizer?  That’s not going to help eliminate the awful smell of tobacco in your car. If you’re looking to sell your car in the near future, you may want to consider quitting smoking today.

  4.  Smoking affects the value of your home.

Do you wonder why most apartment operators do not allow tenants who smoke? That’s because smoking has a direct negative impact on the value of any house. The smoke creates a permanent stain on walls and ceilings and they often need major repainting or refurbishing to be restored. Even if you’re pretty sure today that you are not selling your house, you can’t tell if you could hold on to that decision in the future. And if you want to get a higher price for your home, this is the time to stop smoking.

5.  Smoking ruins your workout routine.

If you are an exercise enthusiast, the least thing you want to do is to smoke. Cigarettes contain tons of chemicals and toxins that lower your immune system, makes breathing more difficult, and prevents your body from the experiencing the amazing benefits of exercise.

You will find thousands of reasons to quit but no any good reason to smoke. So why continue with your unhealthy habit? Why not stop smoking now and live a life that’s healthier and more fulfilling? Quitting smoking today is possible. Help is available anywhere you go.

HELP to Quit Smoking:

• 7 Major Reasons Why You Should Stop Smoking
• 10 Steps to Help your Parents Quit Smoking Today
• 5 Steps to Help Your Spouse Quit

Many studies can attest to this – regular physical activity is one of the best smoking cessation aids. Playing sport can actually help you counter cigarette craving and reduce your unhealthy smoking habits. Not only that. It also helps your body recuperate from the damage brought by smoking.

So how does playing sport help you quit?

 1.   It diverts your attention.

Whether it’s basketball, football, volleyball, swimming, or whatever sport you’re into, it is certainly going to help you eliminate cigarettes from your life. Playing sport diverts your attention. The coach, the heat of the moment, the spectators, audience, and many other factors will simply not allow you to smoke, even if you bring with you a pack of cigarette.

 2.  It relieves stress.

Sport is a fun way to exercise. Research has shown that exercising stimulates the brain to release the feel-good hormones that elevate mood and give you the same kind of pleasure you get from smoking. If this is your first time to play a sport, you may experience extreme tiredness, muscle soreness and energy drain but over time, you will see how it can greatly improve your emotional and mental health.

 3.  It depletes your energy to smoke.

After a strenuous workout, the least thing you want to do is to light a cigarette. As mentioned, sport activities can super drain your batteries and discourage you from smoking. Cigarette smoking is basically not an attractive option to end an exhausting workout or sport activity.

 4.  You’ll find smoking not useful.

Getting into sports is really addictive. But smoking ruins your performance because it directly impacts your health – disrupting blood flow that causes breathing problems, making you feel more tired than ever, lowering your speed and agility, and destroying your overall performance. Thus, over time, you will realize that smoking is not really good for sports and you will, with open heart, give it up!

 5.  It stops nicotine craving.

Another great thing about engaging in sports while trying to quit smoking is that engaging in physical activity has been scientifically proven to reduce cigarette craving. A growing body of research suggests that exercise may serve as a distraction and may help improve the mood of the smoker.

Lastly, engaging in sports activities will improve your health and help your system recover from the serious effects of cigarettes. It will certainly revive your lung function, restore your blood flow, counter the inflammatory effects of cigarette smoking, and boost your brain health. Physical activities can also save your heart from the damage brought by smoking.

HELP to Quit Smoking:

• Smoking and Bad Breath: Top 6 Reasons Why Cigarettes Cause Bad Breath
• 5 Benefits of Laser Smoking Cessation Therapy
• 3 Steps How to Quit Addiction (Smoking) Now
• 10 Small Routine Tweaks to Help You Avoid a Smoking Relapse
• 5 People to Help You Quit

A smoker’s breath is so strong that it could knock you off your feet even though you’re several inches away from that person. But if you are also a smoker, you may rarely notice it. Deciding to stop smoking today will surely make a big difference in your appearance and your level of confidence.

Why does smoking cause bad breath?

Most often, bad breath is caused by things that you can easily counter. One of which is smoking. Tobacco contains chemicals and toxins that make your mouth a perfect breeding ground for bacteria that cause bad breath. Nicotine also produces oil that could stain your teeth and darken your gums and lips. Another reason why cigarette smoking makes your breath smell bad is because it dries your mouth. Smoking stops the saliva from continuously flowing and cleansing your mouth. This results to the proliferation of odor-causing bacteria. The heat from cigarette smoke also damages the tissues in your mouth that play a significant role in promoting oral health.

 So how do you cure bad breath due to smoking?

 Here are the steps to follow if you want to eliminate the awful breath brought by smoking:

The Bad Breath Report

1. Brush your teeth regularly. Brushing with quality toothpaste that contains sufficient amount of fluoride is the easiest way to refresh your breath and reduce the bacteria in your mouth. But don’t think that the cigarette smell will be entirely gone once you brush your teeth, especially if you’re a chain smoker.
2. Chew mint leaves. Mint leaves are very effective in eliminating unpleasant smell in your breath that is caused by smoking. Don’t like mint leaves? Try sunflower seeds. These natural remedies are really worth it!
3. Avoid sugar. Refined sugar makes your breath worse as it promotes the development of cavities. Avoid eating sugary foods, such as cookies, candies, cakes and soft drinks.
4. Drink more water. Water keeps your tongue and stomach clean and hydrated, which in turn prevents the development of bacteria and other microbes that cause bad breath. Apart from water, you may also want to consume plenty of tea. This beverage has antiseptic properties that are effective in destroying bacteria.
5. Eat fruits and vegetables. Eating after smoking is an effective way to cover the stale odor of cigarette. While you can eat just any food you want, it is still better to consume healthier ones, such as fruits and vegetables. They don’t just counter the negative effects of smoking to your health but also makes cigarettes less pleasurable and taste better, according to research.

All these things are going to help you suppress bad breath that is caused by smoking. But their benefits are only temporary. If you really want to be free from bad breath, there’s only one thing you can do: STOP SMOKING NOW. Over time, you will notice that you no longer have the smoker’s breath. Your teeth will whiten and your gums and lips will look better. Not only that. Your skin will become more vibrant and your physical appearance will certainly improve. When that moment comes, you can say hello to a new, more beautiful and confident you!

HELP to Quit Smoking:

• Smoking and Bad Breath: Top 6 Reasons Why Cigarettes Cause Bad Breath

Every smoker has his or her personal reasons for quitting. If you’re entertaining the idea of stopping smoking day but you’re not yet sure of the reasons why, take a few minutes reading this post. Below is the list of the most popular reasons why smokers quit. Mind you, they are so powerful that they can greatly increase your chance of eliminating this unhealthy habit.

 1.   Because you care about your health.

Did you know that smoking is directly responsible for more than 50 medical conditions? If you’re a smoker, quitting is one of the best ways to improve your health and increase your chance of living for a longer period of time. Studies suggest that smokers who quit in their 30s extend their lifespan by 10 more years!

2.   Because you care about your family.

If you’re a parent, the only thing you probably dream about is to take care of your kids, guide them, and help them in every way you can. You most likely want to see your future grandchildren and be present in the most important events in their life. Stopping smoking today makes all these dreams possible.

3.  Because you want to save money.

The cost of smoking is extremely higher than what you expect. State and federal taxes levied on tobacco manufacturers continue to go up that in some places, a pack of cigarettes already costs $10.00! Not only that.  Smoking makes you vulnerable to serious health problems such as cancer, which is the reason why healthcare policies given to smokers are more expensive than those who are given to non-smokers.

4.  Because you want to satisfy your partner.

Smoking poses serious risks to your health, particularly to your reproductive health. Smoking is known to constrict blood vessels and prevent blood from circulating properly in your body, which affects sensitivity. In one study, researchers found that men who successfully quit smoking had thicker, more rigid erections and were able to reach maximum arousal five times faster than those who still smoke.

5.   Because you want to look younger.

Your physical appearance has a huge impact on your level of confidence and well-being. Cigarette smoking does nothing but make you look years older than your true age. It makes you prone to wrinkles, yellow teeth, dark lips, dry skin, and unhealthy hair.

6.   Because you don’t want to be a slave of cigarette anymore. Today, due to so many laws and policies restricting smoking, it is becoming more inconvenient and aggravating to smoke. Imagine having to go out every time you have to smoke, not minding the cold air or rain. Isn’t it more wonderful if you will go out anytime you want to and not anytime you need to?

7.   Because you don’t want to be a public nuisance. Only 20 per cent of the American population smoke. That means the other 80 per cent are most likely bothered every time they smell tobacco smoke or see cigarette butts stuffed everywhere.

There are so many other reasons why you should stop smoking. And there’s no better time than today. Quit smoking now and get the quality of life you deserve.

HELP to Quit Smoking:

• Why Quit Now? 5 Reasons You May Have Not Heard Of
• 10 Steps to Help your Parents Quit Smoking Today
• 5 Steps to Help Your Spouse Quit
• 5 Ways on How Fruits and Vegetables Help Smokers Quit
• The Impact of Just One Cigarette?…HOOKED!

You have not been smoking for some time now. Your smell is improving and your skin is getting healthier. But you’re still problematic about one thing – the stain in your lips and gums. Having dark lips is really a big ‘turnoff’ for many people. Fortunately, it is possible to remove cigarette stain in your lips and gums. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Understand that stain is caused by nicotine. The moment you light a cigarette, an oil substance from nicotine goes out and leaves a yellowish stain on your teeth and makes your lips and gums appear darker. So if you don’t want to stain your lips further, make sure to quit smoking now, today and forever!
2. Hydrate. Your goal is to eliminate nicotine from your body. One inexpensive and natural way to do this is to stay hydrated. Drink lots of purified water. Water flushes away the nicotine from your system, together with all other toxins and harmful compounds that you’ve taken when you were still smoking. How much water is needed? Experts recommend drinking as many ounces of water as you weigh in pounds.
3. Pop in vitamins. Taking vitamins and food supplements can help your body easily recover from the negative effects of smoking. Find a good brand of multivitamin, particularly the one which has high levels of vitamin E and C because these are very important in promoting skin health, promoting tissue turnover in the gums and lips, and eliminating nicotine stain.
4. Rub lemon your lips twice a day. The acid from the lemon extract will break down the nicotine in your lips and remove the stain.
5. Brush regularly. Stain in gums may also be caused by the ability of nicotine to constrict blood vessels in your mouth, resulting to reduced blood flow. Flossing and brushing your gums and teeth works like a massage that stimulates blood flow. Proper blood flow promotes growth of new tissues that will get rid of the stain and counter the effects of nicotine.
6. Apply strawberry paste on your lips. Another thing you can add to your beauty regimen every night is strawberry. Crush one small piece of strawberry and apply it on your lips for two minutes and rinse it. Studies have shown that strawberries can lighten skin. Thus, reducing the ugly appearance of stain on your lips.
7. Apply moisturizer. Dry lips are more likely to be stained by nicotine. Applying moisturizer as often as needed will reduce the appearance of dark lips and at the same time, promote the removal of stain.

Lastly, don’t try smoking again. Or else, all your effort to eliminate the stain will be wasted! Quit smoking now and bring back your natural beauty.

HELP to Quit Smoking:

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Quitting smoking today is probably one of the best decisions you have made in your life. Smoking does nothing but damage to your health. It increases your risk of heart disease, cancer and other illnesses. Fortunately, there are many ways to quit smoking and the best part is that most of them are FREE!

Whilst seeking assistance from a professional therapist can help you overcome nicotine addiction, there are other effective ways to quit without having to spend a cent. Here are the strategies worth trying:

 1.  Read Quit Smoking Blogs

The internet is very generous in providing tips for people looking to quit smoking now. You can get a lot of useful information that makes quitting easy, including tips on how to deal with cigarette craving and how to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. You will also find blogs that discuss the nature of addiction, particularly nicotine addiction, what to expect when quitting, and what to do before you start quitting.

 2.  Sign up for Free Smoking Online Communities.

There are websites that offer free assistance and advice to those who are looking to quit smoking. Some of these online communities are hosted by the government. Look for a legitimate site that will not hook you into buying their products or services in the end. Always call the BBB or your local community office to check whether you are dealing with the right people.

 3.  Download Free Videos and Books about Quitting.

Aside from reading blogs, you can also get useful information from downloading e-Books written by experts and professional smoking cessation specialists. Whilst most books are for sale, you will be able to find e-Books that are free to download. You can also check out free videos created by previous smokers who have successfully quit, doctors and health professionals. These people can share a lot of tips and inspire you to stop smoking now.

 4.  Quit Cold Turkey.

Although it may be hard to quit without using any intervention, it is possible to quit cold turkey. This method does not involve the use of any medication, therapy or treatment program. If you think you have the willpower to quit, try this free method.

 5.  Call Toll-free Quit Smoking Hotlines

The government and some private health organizations offer free support via the telephone. You can call them to get advice from professional therapists. These agencies or organizations will help you find the best method to eliminate nicotine addiction.

 6.  Participate in Study Programs

Scientists are in continuous search for the best methods to quit smoking. To determine whether their newly designed treatments will work, they conduct clinical tests and recruit individuals who want to be part of the study. Don’t worry. These tests will not be conducted on humans without the certification from health authorities that they are safe.

As mentioned, all these ways to quit smoking are for free so you might as well give it a try. It’s good to be a smoke-free individual. Quit smoking now and improve your health and the health of your family, friends and loved ones!

HELP to Quit Smoking:

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You know you should quit. But you’re not just sure how to do it. To increase your chance of quitting smoking today successfully, the first thing you want to do is to create a quit plan. It will provide you with the necessary tools needed to overcome the challenges that come along with smoking cessation.

Quitting smoking is a challenge that can be won with proper preparation. When making a quit plan, here are the steps to follow:

Be certain of your decision to quit.

For sure, you have plenty of reasons to quit. Maybe you are scared about the health outcomes of smoking or you find cigarettes getting more expensive these days. But it is not enough that you have a reason. You also need to have strong willpower and motivation to eliminate cigarettes from your life. Be certain about your decision. Don’t just try to quit. DO IT NOW.

Pick a quit date.

Once you’re pretty sure that you want to quit, the next important step is to pick a quit date. It can be two weeks from now, or tomorrow – whenever you are prepared. Your quit date should not be too soon as you may not have enough time to prepare. The best time to stop smoking is generally after two weeks from the date you decided to quit.

Determine a quit strategy.

As early as today, you may want to start looking for the best smoking cessation method that you will use to successfully quit for good. Decide if you will be using medications, going cold turkey, or seeking help from a professional therapist. Research on the best quit smoking strategies so you will know the pros and cons of each one.  The internet can provide you with vast information you need to cope with the hurdles of quitting smoking.

Assess yourself as a smoker.

Determine what kind of smoker you are. There are several types of smokers – the social smoker, the bum, the chain smoker, the cautionary tale, the average Joe, and the rehabilitated. Knowing this will greatly help you determine the best way to quit. For example, if you are a chain smoker, taking medications may be a better option than quitting cold turkey.

Prepare a journal.

It can be helpful to make use of a journal to track your progress in quitting smoking. This way, you will know what your weaknesses are, especially your smoking triggers, and how to deal with them.

Make sure to have an alternate plan.

If your primary plan does not work, or the quit smoking strategy you used did not help you quit smoking, make sure to have a plan B, plan C, D, and so on. Don’t give up if you failed for a number of times. Relapse is normal. Just keep trying until you finally achieved your goal.

Quit smoking is easy if you have a plan. By following these steps, you can greatly increase your chance to stop smoking now.

HELP to Quit Smoking:

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by Alexis Goodrich

Nicotine addiction is a hard habit to kick. In order to successfully quit, it’s important to surround yourself with powerful motivators. Whether it’s a support group, your family, or yourself, sometimes the most profound incentive is your health. It is widely known that cigarette smoking is a direct cause of lung cancer, heart disease, and a shortened life span. However, often times oral health side effects are overlooked. There are many ways cigarette smoking damages your oral health, and it’s important to understand the dangers of compromising your mouth.

Perhaps the most dangerous side effect is oral cancer. This is one of the most well known side effects, yet many smokers don’t understand the extent of it. Oral cancer refers to cancer of the following areas:
- Lips
- Tongue
- Cheek lining
- Gums
- Floor of the mouth
- Palate, or roof of the mouth

The most common type of oral cancer found is called squamous cell carcinoma, and these cells can often spread very quickly. Early detection is key and it’s important to look for warning signs and act accordingly. Symptoms can include tenderness, sore spots and enlarged/sore lymph nodes, which are located at the top of your neck. Over 42,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year and it will cause 8,000 deaths. Cigarette smoking is a direct cause and smokers looking to quit should use these startling numbers as motivation. The Bad Breath Report

Many smokers notice a change in the appearance of their gums. White, discolored, or bleeding gums are all signs of damage from cigarette smoking. Healthy gum should be pink in color and soft to the touch. The ingredients in tobacco products (over 600 of them!) interfere with normal tissue cell function, which can cause bone detachment and recession. Unhealthy gums affect the health of your entire mouth; loss of gums leads to loss of teeth, which are imperative to leading a normal life. White gums can be painful and will lead to further complications. It’s important to note that smokers who successfully quit can see a major change in their gum health. With cessation, tissue cells can return to their normal activity and increase blood flow to the gums. Gum disease won’t disappear over night but with proper brushing and flossing it is possible to reverse some of the damage.

Finally, many smokers notice the presence of leukoplakia, or white patches, which form on the inside surfaces of the tongue, mouth, and cheek. The patches are caused by a buildup of keratosis and are a result of prolonged irritation. The most common source of irritation that leads to leukoplakia is the use of tobacco. Over time the patches will harden and removal may be necessary. Although they are relatively painless, many smokers find them to be disruptive to daily activities like eating and drinking. Again, this side effect can be used as a motivator as it will subside once cessation has begun. Leukoplakia rarely occurs in non-smokers and it’s important to realize that this condition is a direct result of tobacco consumption.

Understanding the dangerous side effects cigarette smoking causes is the first step towards wanting to quit. Many of these side effects can be reversed with cessation and smokers should use these as powerful motivators. Our oral health affects our entire body and limiting tobacco use will help you lead a healthier and happier life.

Author:
Alexis Goodrich
http://www.bestdentistguide.com Twitter: @thedentistguide

HELP to Quit Smoking:

• 10 Ways By Which Tobacco Kills Your Heart
• 5 Steps to Remove Nicotine Stains in Your Lips and Gums
• Smoking and Your Mouth: 5 Ways How Smoking Can Ruin Your Oral Health
• Top 3 Dangers of Smoking While Wearing a Nicotine Patch
• Smoking Cessation: 10 Tips for Beginners

Nicotine patch is one of the most common types of nicotine replacement therapy. The purpose of the patch is to replace your body’s source of nicotine so you don’t experience intense craving while in the process of smoking cessation. But just like other forms of NRT, nicotine patch should be used alone. If you’re using it as a quit smoking aid, make sure not to light up while the patch is attached on your skin. Otherwise, you expose yourself to some harmful consequences, such as:

 1.  Nicotine Overdose

Wearing the patch and smoking at the same time means that you are consuming nicotine more than you normally take. Overdose results from the build-up of nicotine which the body can no longer handle, leading to undesirable symptoms. Wearing nicotine patch while lighting up is like smoking two cigarettes at the same time, the other one however is pure nicotine. Nicotine overdose can lead to minor and major side effects which could be very serious. That’s why doctors discourage people from smoking and wearing nicotine patch at the same time.

 2.  Headache and dizziness

Wearing the patch while smoking cigarette may lead to unwanted side effects such as dizziness and headache. Some smokers experience intense weakness and fainting while others suffer from upset stomach or diarrhea. Other symptoms that users may experience are blurry vision and hearing loss. While most of these symptoms are only passing, it may cause discomfort and anxiety which in turn makes quitting very hard.

 3.  Stroke or heart attack

A life-threatening side effect of using the patch while smoking cigarette is the elevated risk of heart attack and stroke. Too much nicotine in the body could disrupt blood circulation and lead to heart attack. This is usually caused by blockage in the coronary artery. Stroke, which also results from disrupted blood flow, occurs when the blood fails to reach the brain due to a blockage or clot in the blood vessel. Symptoms of heart attack are severe chest pain and difficulty in breathing while the symptoms of stroke are numbness, and problems with balance and coordination, and speaking.

Nicotine patch, just like all other smoking cessation aids sold in the market today, is associated with health risks too. Anyone considering the use of patch should also educate themselves about the pros and cons of the product and make sure to follow the dosage instruction. Seeking professional advice before and during the use of nicotine patch is essential to ensure success and lower the risk.

HELP to Quit Smoking:

• Understanding Oral Health Dangers From Cigarette Smoking
• 10 Ways By Which Tobacco Kills Your Heart
• Smoking Cessation: 10 Tips for Beginners
• Planning Your Strategy to Quit: 10 Steps
• 10 Craziest Ways to Quit Smoking

The health risks of smoking are well-known. However, not all smokers who attempt to quit succeed. For most of them, quitting seems to be one of the hardest challenges they had to face. Fortunately, there are many ways to make smoking cessation an easier process.

One of the most common methods to quit smoking is the use of patches. These products are designed to gradually relieve your body from nicotine addiction by giving you a smaller dose of nicotine which gets even smaller overtime. Many companies offer free stop smoking patches. But you may want to ask – do they really work? What’s the catch?

The idea is that you’ll try the patch, like it, and eventually buy more. Stop smoking patches, to work, should be used for a considerable period of time (usually for 6 months). The free products that smoking cessation companies provide are only good for a day or two. Because the patch supplies nicotine to your body, you will immediately feel relieved from nicotine craving. However, this does not mean that this quitting strategy is effective. After using the patch for quite some time, there is still a possibility of getting back to smoking.

Another downside of using stop smoking patches is the cost. Although it’s free in your first try, most providers would force you to sign up for a multi-month supply of their products so you can go away from smoking. While a single patch might appear very affordable, you might want to consider the cost for the entire program. Cost wise, it is much cheaper to continue smoking than to keep using the patch.

Another thing to consider is the potential health risk of using nicotine patches. Many smoking cessation specialists discourage the use of quit products that contain nicotine. This is the substance that makes cigarettes addictive. Using patches is just like smoking cigarettes without the other chemicals. These products have side effects too, such as dizziness, nausea, upset stomach, tremors, anxiety, and headaches. Some people are allergic to patches which cause their skin to become irritated.

So do they really work?

The truth is that the results vary from one person to another.  There is a possibility that your body won’t react properly to the patch. It is also important to keep in the mind the cost of the entire program. You may also want to consider other smoking cessation strategies to be able to find the one which is most suitable for you. Always consult your doctor before trying out any stop smoking product. Your doctor can make an intelligent assessment of your nicotine addiction and what are the best quit strategies that will work for you. Lastly, you need to be serious about quitting smoking now. Although quit products are going to help you, your success depends a lot on your determination. You need to have a strong determination to quit so in the future, even though you’re not using any product anymore, you won’t be tempted to smoke again.

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Quitting cold turkey is one of the most popular smoking cessation methods. But many people view it as a torturing and painful experience. But actually, it’s not. If you know the secrets to quitting cold turkey, you can free yourself from being a slave of cigarettes without having to go through the debilitating consequences of stopping nicotine addiction.

Understand the Law of Addiction

The law of addiction states that "administration of a drug to an addict will cause re-establishment of chemical dependence upon the addictive substance at the old level of use or greater." This means that a single, powerful puff can hook you into the same habit. What is the message of this? The moment you decide to quit, you have to quit for good.

Work out Your Willpower

If you’re not sure about quitting smoking, don’t use this technique. Quitting cold turkey does not involve the use of any medication, treatment or intervention. This means you have to depend greatly on yourself. You have to be serious about your goal – quit smoking for good.

Meet Healthy, Old People

Meet someone who is at the age of 85 or 90 who is healthy and living a vigorous life. Take some time to observe their day to day living. This will help you visualize growing older without suffering from any serious illness. According to the American Cancer Society, 440,000 people die each year due to smoking. Picture how fun it is to enjoy your retirement benefits and spending your money on things other than medications and treatments!

Avoid other Smokers

This is very important. During your quit smoking period, you need to avoid people who smoke. Seeing them puff will just intensify your cigarette craving and make you ask them if they have extra cigarette for you. This also comes with avoiding places where smoking is allowed, such as pubs and bars. Find people who have positive attitude and who do not smoke.

Assess the Financial Impact of Smoking

Think of how much money you have spent on cigarettes. How much could you have saved or spent for more important things? How about your health insurance? How costly is your insurance policy because you were considered a high-risk client due to your smoking addiction? Take time to assess the financial cost of smoking. You will be surprised of how much money you could have spared.

 Reward Yourself

Quitting cold turkey becomes easier if you promise to reward yourself once your goal has been achieved. You can do it on a weekly basis. This allows you to look forward to something positive. Buy a movie ticket on a Saturday night, hang out with your non-smoking friends in a non-smoking environment, cook something special, satisfy your sweet tooth, do some shopping, etc. Then, your ultimate reward after not smoking for a month or two could be your dream trip or vacation.

Lastly, adopt a healthy lifestyle. Eat well, get enough sleep, and don’t forget to relax and unwind. All these simple lifestyle tweaks can help you quit cold turkey successfully.

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Quitting smoking can be difficult. But with the numerous treatments available today, smokers can successfully without having to experience the debilitating withdrawal symptoms. Other than taking medications and undergoing nicotine replacement therapy, there’s another way to quit smoking. It’s through laser therapy.

Laser Smoking Cessation Therapy – How it Works

Laser treatment works similarly with acupuncture only that it uses laser instead of needles. In traditional acupuncture, the therapist inserts very thin needles to the pressure points behind the lower earlobe to stimulate the release of endorphins. This makes the body experience a highly relaxed state. Quitting smoking through laser therapy eliminates the fear over needles. Most clinics that offer this treatment claim it can help people quit smoking after just an hour of session. During the therapy, low levels of laser are pointed to certain areas in the face, hands and wrist. The purpose of each session is to relieve the withdrawal symptoms and cravings for cigarettes. According to laser therapists, smoking artificially triggers the brain to release endorphins (the feel-good hormone). But when the cigarettes are withdrawn, the endorphin levels go down, causing undesirable symptoms, also known as withdrawal symptoms.

Benefits of Laser Therapy for Quitting Smoking

1. Your stress levels are greatly reduced once you undergo laser therapy. This allows you to fight the tormenting psychological effects of quitting, such as anxiety, irritability, and extreme craving. You achieve intense relaxation like undergoing traditional acupuncture, without the downsides of needles.
2. Laser therapy helps you restore your energy levels which are likely to go down once you quit. Acupuncture is a proven technique to combat stress and promote well-being.
3. It doesn’t have side effects. Laser therapy does not include supplying nicotine to your bloodstream just to satisfy your craving and reduce your withdrawal symptoms. It helps you fight cigarette craving naturally. It is a safe and time-tested method.
4. Laser therapy produces a feel-good sensation. With this treatment, you won’t feel like you are missing something once you stopped smoking. You are less likely to feel anxious or uneasy every day that you don’t light up.
5. There are scientific studies that prove the effectiveness of laser therapy. In a 2008 study published in the Journal of Chinese Medicine, UK-based research team found that smokers who went through four sessions of laser therapy for two weeks were more likely to quit smoking than those who were given a placebo treatment. During the follow-up study carried out after six months, 55 percent of those who took the laser therapy was smoke-free.

The research on the effectiveness of laser therapy for quitting smoking is still on its early stage. But for many smokers who have tried this approach, the therapy has been really helpful. And even though it may not be the best smoking cessation method, you can have it as a supplementary therapy. Since it is non-invasive, you can use it with other methods, whether medication or non-medication.

HELP to Quit Smoking:

• Smoking and Bad Breath: Top 6 Reasons Why Cigarettes Cause Bad Breath
• 5 Ways on How You Can Quit Smoking by Playing Your Favorite Sport
• 3 Steps How to Quit Addiction (Smoking) Now
• 10 Small Routine Tweaks to Help You Avoid a Smoking Relapse
• 5 People to Help You Quit

Taking medications is a great way to quit smoking now. There are pharmaceutical drugs designed to block the nicotine receptors in your brain so smoking becomes less and less pleasurable for you. But if you’re not comfortable taking medications probably due to their side effects, or your doctor advised you not to take them because of your health condition, there are other ways to quit smoking. Here are 10 practical tips for you:

Stop having just “one”.

You might be tempted to light “just one” cigarette to satisfy your cigarette craving but don’t be fooled by it. One more tobacco can lead to many more. This will get you caught back into the habit.

Work out. Exercise is scientifically proven to reduce cigarette cravings. Research shows that just 30 minutes of physical activity can take away your urge to light up. If you can’t go out from home or from your office, try doing squats, running in place, push-ups and other moderate exercises that don’t require a large space.

Relax. Because you can’t rely on anything to suppress your cigarette craving, expect to experience mood swings, anxiety and irritability. This is why it is also important to learn some relaxation techniques. Overcome stress by breathing in and out gently and consciously. Pamper yourself by going to the salon and spa, attend a yoga class, and try aromatherapy.

Go online. You can get inspired with so many people who have successfully quit smoking by just going online. There are numerous quit smoking sites that provide free information, help and support to those who are looking to quit smoking.

Remember the reasons why you quit. Quitting smoking is possible if you are guided by your willpower. Always remember the reasons why you decided to quit in the first place. Whether it’s for your health, your children, or your finances.

Find a therapist. There are smoking cessation programs that do not involve taking medications. These include counseling or psychotherapy. Here, you will be guided by a professional therapist who will provide you with the support you need to overcome your smoking urge. He or she will guide you in the whole process.

Avoid your smoking triggers. Attending social gatherings wherein smoking is allowed, going to the bars or clubs, and being with your smoking buddies are strong smoking triggers.

Keep yourself busy. You really don’t want the thought of smoking to be bugging you all the time. So as much as possible, you want to keep yourself occupied. Whenever you feel the urge to smoke, try doing something fun – cook, watch a movie, chat with friends, etc. According to studies, cravings last for up to 10 minutes only. So definitely, you can get through the urge to smoke!

Chew. Give your mouth something to get busy with. Chew a gum! Chew on hard candy or sugarless gum, nibble on carrots, or much some nuts.

Start all over again. Relapse is normal during the smoking cessation process. But you can definitely succeed. If you slip, don’t worry. Try harder. Assess your quit smoking efforts – what went wrong, what you should have done, and what you should retain.

Quitting smoking without medication is possible if you follow these ten simple tips!

HELP to Quit Smoking:

• Smoking Cessation: 10 Tips for Beginners
• 5 Smoking Tips You May Have Never Heard Before

Quitting smoking is easy. But staying a non-smoker for life is not. Addiction is a debilitating condition that strikes at the time you least expected it. Even if you have not smoked for months or years now, you are still vulnerable to lighting up again.

But just because it’s not easy doesn’t mean you couldn’t quit for life anymore. Of course you can. Other have done it, why can’t you? Although there are challenges to come your way, you will be able to take away cigarettes from your life. And all through your endeavor you will learn different lessons, and among the most important are:

Some people won’t understand what you are going through.

Unless they have been in the same situation such as yours, it can be difficult for some people to understand what you are going through. If after months or years of not smoking you slip and light up, a friend might be shocked and will ask you “What’s wrong?” Even you may not understand it. Even you don’t have the answer.

You don’t always get what you want, even after several times of trying.

Quitting smoking is a process of trial and error. Lucky you are if you are able to overcome it in your first try. But you don’t have to be discouraged if you slipped. It’s normal. 90 percent of smoker encounters a relapse within one year of quitting smoking. So don’t blame everything on yourself. Even the people with the highest level of willpower get slip at times. What matters most is that you try hard to achieve your goal of quitting smoking for life.

Remembering is important.

You need to be aware of what you feel every now and then. Is it anxiety? Is it gladness? Is it irritability? Is it distress? You need to be aware of the physical and emotional signals your body sends to your brain as they can increase the possibility of relapse. A major life issue, such as the death of a loved one, a breakup or divorce can all trigger you to smoke. You need to know whether your body is stressed or not so you can do something about it.

Taking control of your mood is your responsibility.

You can’t always hide from the people you don’t like or you don’t want to be with. You can’t always hide from your smoking buddies. You can’t always run away from your fears, worries and problems. Many times, you’ve got to face them. Taking control of what you feel is your responsibility. You can’t always blame your mood swings to cigarettes, to your family, to your friends, and to everyone else around you. You can’t blame it to the waiter who took a little while to serve your order, or the call center representative who’s handling your computer issues.

Sometimes, it’s going to be super tough.

Quitting smoking for life is an unending process. Once you’ve got hooked, you can still experience the urge to smoke even after a long period of not smoking. But even though it’s tough at times, you can definitely get through each day, each month, and each year without lighting up.

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5 Steps to Follow

Anyone who’s concerned about you will advice you one thing over and over again – quit smoking now. Friends and family can really put a lot of pressure on you. But if you don’t want to, quitting smoking can be tremendously difficult.

Maybe you don’t want to quit because you find no reason to quit at all. Or, you’re just denying the fact that you’re already hooked (better term than "addicted") to cigarettes. Maybe you feel compelled to stop smoking now because your parents keep on nagging at you, or you are already experiencing the consequences of smoking. Whatever it is, you can actually quit smoking and guarantee your success. Here’s how:

 1. Find a reason to quit.

First of all, you need to find a reason to stop smoking today. It is not enough that you will quit because your parents, partner, or friends tell you so. The reason has to be rooted deep within you. It has to have meaning. It has to be so powerful that you will be inspired to quit. Can’t find a reason to quit? You may want to list down the negative effects of smoking on your health, relationship, physical and emotional well-being, and your finances. After this, you will realise that there are thousands of reasons to stop smoking now.

 2.  See if you have enough willpower.

If you have weaker willpower, or you have an addictive personality, you may need to work on it now.  You need to be mentally prepared to quit smoking. The physical effects of quitting are terrible enough that if you don’t have the willpower, you may find it easy to give up.

 3.  Prepare to quit.

How do you do this? First of all, set a quit smoking date. It can be really helpful to let your family and friends know that you are quitting. Let them know that you need their support. Seek professional help. To fully prepare yourself, you want someone who can provide you information on the possible smoking cessation methods that you can utilize. Speak with a specialist. He or she can provide you the tools needed to successfully let go of the habit.

 4.  Figure out how you’re going to quit.

Ask your doctor what smoking cessation strategy is most suitable for you. Check if taking medications will do the job. Most of the time, it does.  There are many other ways to quit. These include cutting down gradually, quitting cold turkey, undergoing counseling, etc.

 5.  List down your smoking triggers.

You need to be aware who your enemies are. This is very, very important if you want to avoid going through a relapse. Asses your smoking habits and list down all the things (emotions, time, feelings, and so on) that trigger you to light up. Is it stress? Is it your morning coffee? When you know what they are, you can definitely avoid them.

Quit smoking not because others want you to. Quit because you are concerned about yourself and about the people who love you. And with these simple steps, you can get yourself ready to drop the habit and succeed.

HELP to Quit Smoking:

• Quit Smoking Timeline: 3 Things to Expect During the Smoking Cessation Period
• Smoking and Bad Breath: Top 6 Reasons Why Cigarettes Cause Bad Breath
• 6 Easy Ways to Quit Smoking
• 3 Steps How to Quit Addiction (Smoking) Now
• 5 People to Help You Quit

If you’re looking for natural ways to quit smoking, you may have probably come across the term “hypnosis”. How does it work? Is it effective? What are the risks of using hypnosis? Let’s find out.

Hypnosis as Quit Smoking Method

Being hypnotized means being put under a state of trance. The purpose of the therapy is to heighten your awareness and visualize your goals as if they are happening at the moment. In clinical practice, hypnosis is used to treat various behavioral and mental problems such as addiction, phobia, pain, and speech problems. The process involved in hypnosis appears like a mystery. But it’s not. Even though you are under a trance, you are not unconscious. As a matter of fact, you are under heightened awareness. Some people claim that when you are hypnotized, you get to relax and concentrate more. As a result, you become more open to suggestions and follow them, such as quitting smoking.

In a typical hypnosis session, the client is often asked to imagine the unpleasant effects of smoking. For example, the therapist will ask the client to imagine the smell of cigarette smoke as a toxic fume that is so suffocating. Hypnosis focuses on three main ideas: smoking is toxic, you should respect and take care of your body, and you need your body to live.

How do you stop smoking through hypnosis? Follow these simple steps:

1. Find a reputable therapist. Ask your healthcare provider to recommend a professional hypnotherapist. When done incorrectly, hypnosis may not work for you. Worse, it can leave you smoking more.
2. Verify the qualifications of the therapist. Check if they have certifications and credentials that will prove their reliability. Go for an experienced therapist. He or she should be well-trained, licensed and has experience in hypnosis for quitting smoking.
3. Remember, hypnosis doesn’t work for everyone. According to the American Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute, there are not enough scientific studies that prove the effectiveness of hypnosis to help smokers quit.
4. Don’t use self-hypnosis unless you are pretty sure of what you are doing. If you’re new to this therapy, seek professional guidance.
5. Ask the therapist how many sessions you need to undergo to finally see the result you want. Most probably, you will be given quit smoking CDs or self-help books so you can continue to reinforce the suggestions without having to see your therapist regularly.

The good thing about hypnosis is that it helps you deal with the psychological and emotional aspects of giving up smoking. It helps you strengthen your determination and willpower to eliminate cigarettes from your life. With the guidance of a professional practitioner, you can greatly benefit from this therapy.

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Making small, realistic changes in your lifestyle is a great strategy to quit smoking today. Whether you’re undergoing treatment or not, the following tips and tricks are going to help you combat nicotine craving and all other unwanted symptoms associated with smoking cessation.

Be optimistic.

You are being positive when even though you find it difficult, you are hopeful that you can ultimately get rid of smoking. You may have tried several times before and you fail. But you just don’t stop because you know you’re going to hit your target the next time. Optimism is a significant factor that affects your likelihood to quit smoking. If you really want to give up smoking, you better start developing a positive mind if you are the negative type of person.

Be friends with positive, non-smoking people.

It’s time that you expand your social network and meet new friends. Be careful however on the people you deal with. Your goal is to surround yourself with positive people. Those who will encourage, motivate, and inspire you to live a healthy life. According to studies, positivity is contagious. If you are the pessimistic type, find friends who are optimistic. Over time, you will see how you were able to adopt their attitude!

Change your diet.

American researchers found that certain foods, such as meat, make cigarettes more satisfying. On the other hand, fruits, vegetables and cheese make it less pleasurable. To reduce your nicotine craving, swap your burger and fries with a large bowl of Mediterranean salad or a veggie pizza.

 Apply the 10-minute rule.

Having an urge to smoke? Before you light that cigarette, wait for 10 minutes. Studies show that it only takes 10 minutes for cigarette craving to last. After that, it goes down completely. If you’re used to lighting up every after meal, make it a habit to delay the act of smoking. As time goes by, your desire to smoke get smaller and smaller.

Plan it out.

Planning is critical to quitting smoking. You have to prepare for it too, just as you prepare for any other transition in life. Set a quit date, seek professional advice from a smoking cessation specialist, create a timeline of your entire experience, recognize your smoking triggers, and set a deadline or the date when you will not smoke anymore. A goal is easy to achieve when you have a clear plan of what to do.

Be reminded of your reasons to quit.

The reasons you have in mind for quitting smoking will serve as your stepping stone to reach your goal. Whenever you feel like giving up, just think of the reasons why you are doing this in the first place. Is it for your family? For your children? For yourself? For the people who love you? Keep reminding yourself of these reasons. They are going to give you the strength to carry on. Remember, quitting smoking is a battle worth fighting for.

HELP to Quit Smoking:

• Quit Smoking Timeline: 3 Things to Expect During the Smoking Cessation Period
• Smoking and Bad Breath: Top 6 Reasons Why Cigarettes Cause Bad Breath
• I need to Quit Smoking But I’m Not Ready Yet, What Will I Do?
• 3 Steps How to Quit Addiction (Smoking) Now
• 5 People to Help You Quit

Pregnancy gives many women a great reason to quit smoking today. However, it may also complicate their options, considering the fact that some treatments have contraindications to pregnancy. If you’re pregnant but looking to quit smoking now, you may not be able to stop on your own and at the same time, some medications may not be good for you and your baby. The good thing is, there are plenty of effective ways to quit smoking while pregnant. Here are some of them:

Quit Cold Turkey

This involves quitting altogether without the use of any treatment or intervention program. This can be quite stressful especially if you’ve been smoking for a long while now. However, you can be sure that you’re not putting your baby at risk if you choose this method. Furthermore, there is no scientific proof that the stress associated with quitting smoking has severe effects on the fetus. But to be successful, you have to be determined enough to stop smoking today without any help from others or from medications. Just think about your baby and what smoking can do to him or her.

Cutting Down Gradually

If you can’t quit smoking immediately, cutting down slowly may just be the thing. Reduce your cigarette consumption bit by bit until you’re finally down to zero. This method is completely safe as long as you’re able to finally quit smoking by the time that you’re already 14 weeks pregnant. But if you will continue to smoke after that period, you are still exposing your baby to the harmful effects of smoking.

Psychotherapy

Experts can attest to this – counseling can help you quit smoking now. Whether you join an individual session, a support group, or an online smoking cessation community, seeking advice from a specialist can strengthen your willpower to quit smoking today. Through counseling, you can intelligently assess the psychological aspects of your habit, your smoking triggers, and how you can effectively deal with them. The government offers free quit lines where you can seek professional advice and encouragement from therapists for free.

 Alternative Treatments

If you’re looking to quit smoking but you’re afraid of the possible consequences of medications, especially on your developing child, you may want to consider the alternative methods. Among the most popular for quit smoking are acupuncture and hypnosis. The use of these alternative treatments is becoming widespread. In fact, they are being covered in many insurance policies. However, there’s limited evidence that these therapies work and experts are not completely sure of how they can help people quit smoking. Some claim that acupuncture helps a smoker deal with the psychological symptoms of quitting while hypnosis has been proven to help people deal with issues on dependency.

There’s no harm in trying all these methods because they do not pose any physical harm to your child. You may even try each of them one at a time, or combine two or more of these smoking cessation methods.

Quitting smoking during pregnancy is the best thing you can do for your baby. So make sure to quit smoking NOW.

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Nicotine replacement therapy or NRT is a popular quit smoking method that involves using small doses of nicotine to reduce the need for cigarettes. With NRT, a smoker can get enough nicotine to satisfy his or her cravings without having to breathe in the other toxic compounds present in tobacco. While many have successfully quit using nicotine replacement therapy, there are some important things you should know if you plan to use it to quit smoking today.

1.   Ask your doctor.

NRT is not for everybody. If you are pregnant, undergoing medication, or has a serious health problem, you may need to secure medical advice from your doctor. During your checkup, your doctor will assess whether NRT is the best smoking cessation treatment for you. He or she will also inform you how the treatment works, its limitations, and the potential side effects you may experience while using it.

 2.  Identify what NRT type is best suited for you.

Nicotine replacement therapy comes in different forms, such as the nicotine gum, patch, and inhaler. Although they have the same purpose, you may want to consider the NRT form that you find most convenient to use.

 3.   Set a quit date.

When quitting smoking, you need to have a goal – a specific date when you will not be puffing cigarettes anymore but instead, undergoing NRT. Some people choose to stop smoking at the end of a day and then start with NRT the next day. Because you still have a source of nicotine, it is unlikely that you will crave for cigarettes. Most probably, you’ll just miss the sensation of having a cigarette in your mouth, but that would be all. Other people prefer to cut down their cigarette consumption gradually while undergoing NRT.

 4.  Make sure you use an adequate amount of nicotine.

Your doctor will tell you the best dosage of nicotine that is most appropriate for you. It depends on your nicotine consumption. If you consume one pack of cigarettes per day, you must have high tolerance for nicotine, which means you will need a higher dosage. Use nicotine for at least 8 to 12 weeks for a higher chance of successfully quitting for a longer period.

 5.  Report any undesirable side effect to your doctor.

Not all people who use NRT to quit smoking experience the side effects of the drug. But if you suspect that NRT is causing unwanted effects to your body, consult your doctor right away. Side effects of NRT are categorized into two – mild and severe. Mild side effects include headache, digestive problem, and sleepiness which are often tolerable. But it can have major side effects too, including fatigue, nausea or dizziness, insomnia and skin rash.

Using nicotine replacement therapy can be an effective way to quit smoking today. However, you must equip yourself with the knowledge about the product to maximize its benefits.

Have you tried using NRT to quit? What were the challenges you encountered while using the product? Share your comment below.

HELP to Quit Smoking:

• Top 4 NRT Products: Its Advantages and Disadvantages
• Nicotine gum: What you need to know
• Nicotine replacement therapy: Nicotine patch
• Quit Smoking – Using Wellbutrin or Zyban (Bupropion) to Quit
• 10 Powerful Suggestions to Stop Smoking

For many smokers, nicotine addiction is difficult to cure. If you are a smoker who’s currently looking for great strategy to quit, you must have already heard about using nicotine inhalers. This method involves an inhaler that delivers small amount of nicotine in your body so you do not crave for cigarettes.

How does nicotine inhaler work?

Nicotine inhalers are one of the many forms of nicotine replacement therapy – a quit smoking method that works by replacing your body’s source of nicotine. This nicotine is the reason why cigarettes are addictive. Tobacco manufacturers add a considerable amount of nicotine in their products so consumers will find smoking a pleasurable experience, even if the world knows how lethal its effects can be.  Instead of cigarettes, inhalers deliver the nicotine into the membranes that line the mouth and throat, not directly into the lungs. Also, the nicotine from these devices enters the bloodstream at a much slower rate than cigarettes do.

But how viable stop smoking inhalers? What is the likelihood that you can overcome nicotine addiction for good?

Disadvantages of Using Inhalers

The are expensive.

One set of nicotine inhalers, which includes 42 nicotine cartridges, costs $45 to 50. It can be very costly considering that a smoker may need several packages before he or she can totally overcome nicotine addiction. In the US, only the states of Mexico and Texas provide insurance coverage for inhalers. In all other states, smokers have to buy them out of their own pocket.

It has nicotine.

Health experts do not recommend using quit smoking products that contain nicotine. Quitting is about eradicating nicotine dependency. But how can smokers quit it if they are using a product that contains the same substance that makes them love cigarettes?

There’s a higher chance of relapse.

 Although quit smoking inhalers may help smokers abstain from smoking, the benefits are only temporary. In a 2002 study published in Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers found a 93% mid-year relapse rate in smokers who quit using nicotine replacement therapy. Targeting the root cause of addiction, rather than simply replacing the source of nicotine, is a much better way to quit smoking.

It may promote nasal congestion.

If you have sinusitis or nasal congestion, inhalers may not be the best quit smoking method for you. The inhalers can aggravate your sinus problem and make its symptoms more profound and debilitating.

It has side effects.

The side effects of inhalers can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. If you experience any undesirable symptom like nausea, itch, nasal congestion, headache, sore throat, throat irritation, thirst, vomiting, or fever, stop using your nicotine inhaler and consult your doctor right away. Inhalers are not recommended for younger people, pregnant women, those taking other medications, and people suffering from other medical conditions. Always consult a doctor first before using the product.

 The inhaler has become more of a substitute rather than a cure.

Inhalers closely mimic cigarettes. Because of this, many smokers tend to use the device as a replacement for their smoking habit, rather than a cure. The dependency remains.

• Have you tried using nicotine inhaler to quit smoking?
• Have you had any issues with it?
• What other smoking cessation techniques do you think are better than inhalers?

Share your comment below.

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Going cold turkey may not be the best method to quit smoking but thousands of people have successfully quit using it. The thing about quitting smoking cold turkey is that it doesn’t require you to take any medication or undergo any treatment. But, strong mind setting is necessary to increase your success rate if you prefer this quit smoking strategy.

Here are the three important rules to follow when quitting cold turkey:

 1.  Know what you are going into.

Quitting cold turkey is a process by which you completely let go of smoking without the help of any drug or smoking cessation treatment. Studies suggest that only around 3 to 10 percent of smokers are able to quit using this method. But if you want to quit because you have a serious health problem, quitting cold turkey may be a great option for you. You can also stop smoking now and go through a very short period of agony. While it can be devastating at first, especially if you have symptoms of withdrawal, you will be able to overcome your smoking addiction more quickly than when using medications or nicotine replacement therapy.

 2.   Make a game plan.

To lift your chance of success, you want to make a concrete game plan of how you are going to deal with the challenges that might come your way and be able to stay committed to it. First of all, you must be pretty sure about your decision. If you ‘feel’ like quitting, don’t go cold turkey – you will just be making things difficult. You’ve got to have a strong commitment and desire to eliminate cigarettes from your life. When going cold turkey to quit smoking today, it is advisable to choose a time of the week or month when you are most stress-free. Mental and emotional hurdles can hinder you from quitting smoking altogether. When making a game plan, be sure to pinpoint your smoking triggers and find a solution for them. Also, remember that the first few days will be the hardest because you will be experiencing intense craving coupled with the withdrawal symptoms. But they will pass, definitely. Lastly, have an alternative plan. If you are very determined to quit, you need to have plan B if your plan A doesn’t work, and plan C, D, and so on. This means that if quitting smoking cold turkey doesn’t work for you, choose another strategy.

 3.  Learn how to manage stress.

Quitting cold turkey is perhaps the most stressful smoking cessation strategies so far. It’s because you have nothing to depend on except for your own willpower. There’s no magic pill that will ease your cravings away and relieve the headache, anxiety and other withdrawal symptoms you may experience. But going cold turkey can be easier if you know how to manage stress because it’s going to be your number one enemy! Well, there are different ways to manage stress, such as practicing yoga and meditation, and mindful breathing techniques, getting enough rest and sleep, observing a healthy diet, and staying active.

If you keep in mind these rules, you can quit smoking for good by going cold turkey! Good luck!

HELP to Quit Smoking:

• How do I know what strength patch is right for me?
• Quit Smoking – The Senator And The Veterans
• Quit Smoking – Just Do It
• What is the right way to quit smoking?
• Get Help Quitting Tobacco

Every day, thousands of people attempt to quit. Unfortunately, only a very few succeed. Despite the numerous treatments available today, why is it so hard to quit smoking? Here are the top 10 reasons why:

Smoking is an Addiction

Many people light up without ever thinking or believing that they are going to get hooked into this habit. But cigarettes contain nicotine – an addictive substance that works by activating the dopamine circuitry in the brain, giving the smoker an instant feeling of joy or pleasure. Overtime, the body becomes dependent on cigarettes. And just like all other forms of addiction, smoking becomes a difficult battle.

People think it’s Hard to Quit

The mentality that quitting is hard makes many smokers fail in their attempt to quit. Some even don’t attempt to try because they think they can’t do it. But even though cigarettes are addictive, it is still possible to quit smoking now and kick off the habit for as long as possible.

Some Smokers Don’t Give their Best

It is much harder to break a habit than to create one. Quitting smoking takes effort, dedication and a strong commitment to stay cigarette-free for good. Mind-setting is a critical aspect of the entire process of smoking cessation. If you want to quit, you must be serious enough to back your decision with strong efforts.

Smoking Cessation Comes with Undesirable Symptoms

The withdrawal period makes quitting smoking more difficult. Some of the most common symptoms of quitting are: headache, irritability, nausea, anxiety, fatigue, and restlessness. But not all people who try to quit undergo a withdrawal period. Some can quit easily. But if you are one of those unlucky few to experience the withdrawal symptoms, don’t lose hope. Just as they say – if there’s a will, there’s a way! There are many ways to counter the effects of quitting smoking.

Quitting Can Be Painful

Other than the physical side effects of quitting smoking, the process can be a very painful experience – psychologically speaking. After the physical pain of withdrawal, smokers start to miss the social experience associated with their habit, such as the enjoyment of being with their smoking buddies. Then, they may feel deprived of something that ‘relaxes’ them. These are all ‘psychological’ in nature. But after a few weeks of not smoking, all these painful consequences will go away.

People Don’t Seek Professional Help

Many smokers think they can quit on their own. But professional support is necessary to increase the chance of quitting smoking for good. There are doctors who specialize in helping people quit smoking. Smokers may also seek help from qualified therapists or counselors.

People Don’t Seek Social Support

Smokers need social support as much as they need professional help. Studies show that smokers who are supported by their family and friends in quitting smoking are more likely to succeed than those who don’t get social support. Knowing that there are people behind you to guide you, cheer you up whenever you feel discouraged, and help you in every way can certainly boost your strength to stay cigarette-free for as long as possible.

Most Smokers Quit without a Plan

Going to a battle without any weapon greatly increases your risk of losing. Before throwing that cigarette away, you need to equip yourself with the knowledge and skills about smoking cessation. Create a plan, set a quit date, choose a smoking cessation method, and devise strategies to prevent a relapse.

They Don’t Quit Smoking Now

Many people have the habit of delaying their attempt to quit smoking. They will tell themselves, “Tomorrow is a great day to deal with smoking cessation than today”. And when ‘tomorrow’ comes, they’ll state the same words again until they have no longer tried to quit.

Many Smokers are Pessimist

Positive thinking is a critical aspect of quitting smoking. For you to get going and become more resilient to the painful effects of quitting, you need to believe that you can do it. Optimism is your friend in difficult times like this, and will never leave you, no matter what.

What have been your difficulties in quitting smoking so far? How do you deal with them?

HELP to Quit Smoking:

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Set Your Goal

Smoking has robbed you of your health. Quitting smoking now will help you revive your health and give you a more positive outlook.  Your greatest achievement will be to regain control of your life and be free from tobacco addiction. There are more reasons for you to quit smoking today than lighting that cigarette stick in your hand. You may want to consider these reasons:

• Smoking Affects Your Health – Smoking is dangerous to your health. You lose your sense of smell, and it gives you bad breath. It irritates your throat and makes it soar. And above all, it is bothering to be dependent on cigarettes.
• Smoking Makes You Look Ugly – Nicotine stains your teeth, gums and your fingers. It dries your skin and gives you more white hairs. Smokers look older than their age.
• Smoking Draws You Away from Your Love Ones – Smoking draws your non-smoking friends away. Non-smokers can’t stand the bad smell of smoke and would tend to stay away from it, aside from the fact that second hand smoke is more dangerous to a non-smoker’s health.
• Smoking is Expensive – Smoking robs you of your salary without you knowing it. A smoker spends thousands of dollars in his life time just to buy cigarettes, aside from the expenses a smoker spend for his insurance premium and hospitalization.

Ways to Quit Smoking Now

The habitual behavior of tobacco addiction has several similar features with obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD, an anxiety condition in which a person has undesirable and recurrent thoughts, ideas, sensations, feelings, or behaviors. For you to quit smoking today you need to address two issues – first, you need to identify your reasons why you smoke and find a way to address them. And second, how to overcome your physical addiction to smoking.

Addressing the Psychological Issues of Smoking Addiction

If you want to quit smoking now, you first need to determine what to do in situations when you want to smoke. When you drink coffee, what do you do? Just drink the coffee. How about after eating a sumptuous meal? If you do not have the answers to these questions, it’s harder for you to quit smoking today. These techniques might help you quit:

• Avoid carrying matches or lighter.
• Avoid idle moments. Keep yourself busy to stop yourself from lighting the cigarette.
• Keep in mind the risks of smoking.
• Keep in mind the reasons why you want to quit smoking.
• Take deep breathes when you’re tempted to smoke.
• Water helps flush the toxins out of your body. Keep yourself hydrated.
• Avoid smoking areas.
• Your family and peers can help you quit.

Addressing the Physical Issues of Smoking Addiction

Quitting suddenly is very uncomfortable especially for heavy smokers because of the withdrawal symptoms that go with the quitting. During the smoking cessation treatments, depending on their case, patients may experience headaches, insomnia, bad temper, chills, shakiness or anxiety. Smokers may also experience dry mouth, racing heartbeat and excessive sweating.

Ways to Address the Physical Issues

• Quitting Cold Turkey – To quit cold turkey means to quit with no preparations at all. It’s like quitting out of the blue. This is a good technique if you’re a social to moderate smoker.
• Continuing or Gradual Quitting – This technique extends you misery but lessens your agony. You can set a time frame in which you’ll slowly reduce your cigarette consumption until you can finally quit.
• Using Nicotine Gums, Patches, or Lozenges – Smoking cessation products help lessen the cravings a smoker feels when quitting. These products deliver a small doze of nicotine or a substitute to the body that lessens the effects of nicotine craving.

It is never easy to quit smoking today and never will it be, but it is NEVER impossible. With the right motivation and support group a smoker can always quit the smoking addiction.

HELP to Quit Smoking:

• Smoking and Bad Breath: Top 6 Reasons Why Cigarettes Cause Bad Breath
• 5 People to Help You Quit
• Quit Smoking Timeline: 3 Things to Expect During the Smoking Cessation Period
• 5 Ways on How You Can Quit Smoking by Playing Your Favorite Sport
• 5 Benefits of Laser Smoking Cessation Therapy

Building a habit is easy, but breaking it is definitely not. It’s possible to create a habit in a few days but it may take months, even years to finally get free from a habit, especially an addictive one like smoking. Even though you have successfully quit smoking today, there’s still a big possibility that you go back to it in the next few hours or in the next days. It can be helpful to make some simple tweaks in your daily routine. Many smokers experience the urge to light up in specific times of the day. By making a slight change in your lifestyle, you can stop smoking now and for good.

• Avoid going couch potato, especially after meal. If you’re like most smokers, you have the habit to light up right after meal. Many people find it very pleasurable. Some even think that smoking after meal helps speed up their metabolism. But of course, it isn’t true. To fight the urge to light up, go for a walk after eating. This does not only keep you away from smoking, but also helps you shed some pounds!
• Clean your car. Having the urge to light up? Get your car washing tools and make your car look new again! Your goal is to remove any remnants of cigarettes, everything from the trash to the smell of nicotine. Once your car is completely cleaned, place a small bottle of lavender essential oil in your compartment. Aromatherapy relaxes your mind and reduces irritation – common symptoms of quitting smoking.
• Find a non-smoking friend. Being with a smoker is never going to help you quit smoking for good. As much as possible, avoid interacting with those who smoke. If you have smoking friends, tell them you’re in the process of quitting and politely ask them not to smoke when with you. This is also the best time to find a new friend and the top criteria should be someone who doesn’t smoke.
• Replace fruit for a mint. It’s really good to have some mint after a meal but this can trigger you to smoke again. A simple lifestyle tweak that can help you avoid a smoking relapse is to eat a fruit instead of mint or candy. Studies show that smokers who eat fruit and smoke right after find the taste of cigarette undesirable.
• Be a little more ‘vain’. Give extra effort to make yourself look and feel good. Get a new hairstyle, invest a little on beauty and skincare products, and change your clothing style. This is a great way to motivate yourself to stay smoke-free. You know that smoking makes your skin look dull, triggers the onset of wrinkles and pimples, and stains your teeth. You really don’t want to look ugly don’t you?
• Reward yourself. Make it a habit to reward yourself a little after being able to resist an episode of cigarette craving. Maybe you can reward yourself with a new book, a movie ticket, a healthy snack, or some extra hours of sleep!
• Practise breathing exercise every morning. Start your day with a few minutes of breathing exercise. Stand up straight, with your hands on your waist. Breathe in deep and slowly and then breathe out. Do it for 10 to 20 counts every morning. Feel the fresh, clean air as it travels to your nose and to your lungs.
• Do something new. Beat boredom by trying new things and building new habits – the healthy ones of course. Read a new book, try a new sport, learn a new skill, etc.
• Go to the gym. The smoking cessation period gives you a perfect time to exercise. Physical activities have been proven to suppress nicotine craving. It also helps you recover from smoking easier.
• Take part of the household chores. Being the one cleaning the house will make you realize how smoking can actually make your work much more difficult. After removing the clutter and sanitizing the bedrooms, kitchen and the living room, the last thing you want to do is allow the cigarette smoke to spread inside your home!

With these simple lifestyle tweaks, you can prevent a smoking relapse and enjoy a healthier, smoke-free life!

HELP to Quit Smoking:

• Smoking and Bad Breath: Top 6 Reasons Why Cigarettes Cause Bad Breath
• 5 Ways on How You Can Quit Smoking by Playing Your Favorite Sport
• 5 Benefits of Laser Smoking Cessation Therapy
• 3 Steps How to Quit Addiction (Smoking) Now
• 5 People to Help You Quit

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer and a major risk factor for many other diseases, including heart attack and diabetes. Because of the severe effects of smoking to health, more and more people are deciding to quit each day. The problem however is that only a small percentage of smokers succeed to kick off the habit for good.

If you are looking to quit smoking today, it can be helpful to seek support from others. There are people who can inspire and motivate you to stop the habit today, tomorrow and for the rest of your life.

 1.   Your Doctor

When trying to quit, the best person to give you support is no other than your doctor. This person can provide you with vital information needed to increase your quit smoking success and avoid a relapse. Now is the time to quit smoking. Set up an appointment with your physician or a smoking cessation specialist. These people can guide you on choosing what medication to take or what kind of treatment is most suitable for you.

2.   Your Partner

There’s a kind of support that you can’t always get from a doctor. Even though your partner may not have the knowledge about smoking and how to stop this habit, he or she can give you emotional and moral support that is very much critical in eliminating smoking addiction. Remember, sometimes, smoking is purely psychological. You crave for cigarettes because you’ve become so used to it that you think something is missing whenever you don’t smoke.

3.   Your Mom

If you don’t have a partner, or if you can’t get sufficient emotional support from him or her, you can always count on to your mom. Our parents wouldn’t want anything bad for us. She may not be talking about it or opening up the topic but your mom is definitely worried about your habit.

4.   Your Best  Friend

If you’re not so close to your mom, you can seek support and comfort from your best friend. True friends want nothing but the best for us and they are very much willing to help you. Friends are also more open to each other so for sure, you won’t find it difficult to tell your friend about your intention to quit. If you best friend is also a smoker, it’s time to convince him or her to quit smoking together with you. You can become smoking buddies.

5.   Your Child

If you have a child, chances are you’ve sometimes felt guilty for smoking. Of course, you don’t want to leave your child in the near future because of your life-threatening habit. And also, your child doesn’t want you to smoke again ever. Your child can inspire you to quit smoking now and never go back to your old habit.

These people are absolutely going to help you, in one way or another, quit smoking for good. And even if you don’t ask, you will feel their intense desire to reach out to you.

HELP to Quit Smoking:

• Smoking and Bad Breath: Top 6 Reasons Why Cigarettes Cause Bad Breath
• 3 Steps How to Quit Addiction (Smoking) Now
• Quit Smoking Timeline: 3 Things to Expect During the Smoking Cessation Period
• 5 Ways on How You Can Quit Smoking by Playing Your Favorite Sport
• 5 Benefits of Laser Smoking Cessation Therapy

Nearly 35 million people try to quit smoking each year. Unfortunately, 85 percent are bound to fail. Smoking is indeed one of the most addictive habits that despite the growing awareness about its health consequences, more and more people get hooked to it, especially men.

Below is the list of the top 10 smoking triggers for men. Avoiding them can improve your chance of quitting smoking for good and reduce your risk of relapse.

Major Stress

A lot of men cling to smoking to ease stress. Although the long-term effects of smoking involve an elevated cortisol level, most people think that smoking can help them deal with stress. It’s because the chemicals in tobacco produce a sudden surge in the brain’s dopamine system – the part involved in feelings of pleasure. This feeling doesn’t last long however, which marks the onset of nicotine addiction. Major stress, such as losing a loved one, getting fired from a job, an issue with health, or a recent breakup can trigger a person to smoke.

 Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol use is among the major triggers of smoking in men. Studies show that people perceive smoking to be more pleasurable together with alcohol. For some men, parties are incomplete with cigarettes and beers.

Relationship

Problems and transitions in relationships can often cause severe stress in men, which then triggers them to smoke. Men who go through persistent emotional conflicts with their partners, problems at home or at work, and failed social relationships often find refuge in smoking.

Boredom

During moments of boredom, a lot of men try to seek entertainment through smoking. But there are healthier ways to beat boredom. These include exercising, trying a new sport, engaging in recreational activities, reading a book, or watching TV.

Eating

While being full often triggers men to smoke, there are certain foods that significantly increase one’s cravings for cigarettes. They are the sweet, salty and oily foods like crisps, processed meats, deep-fried foods, and fast foods.

Social situations

Being with smoking friends often trigger men to smoke. Generally, men are too shy to decline an offer, especially when it comes from a good friend or a lady. Being offered with a cigarette during social situations can hook a man into smoking.

Sex

Sex is another smoking trigger for some men. Many men are into the habit of lighting up after sexual intercourse. While it sounds ‘so cool’, the dark side is that smoking is linked to a host of fertility problems, including impotence.

HELP to Quit Smoking:

• Top 10 Smoking Triggers
• Top 10 Things That Trigger Back Smoking

Chantix is a prescription medication provided to people who are trying to quit. The drug works by blocking the nicotine receptors in the brain so the person taking it doesn’t experience craving. Clinical trials show that people who use Chantix have 44 percent success rate in just 12 weeks.

Chantix is recognized by the Food & Drug Administration as a safe medication. But it can lead to undesirable consequences if not used properly. So before you start taking Chantix, take note of the following important steps:

1. Speak with your doctor. You will not be able to buy Chantix without a prescription from a doctor so make sure to set an appointment with your doctor first. You need to be familiar with how the medicine works, its pros and cons, and how it should be taken. Your doctor will make an assessment of your health status to determine whether Chantix is the best quit smoking treatment for you. Your medical history will be taken into consideration during the assessment.
2. Set a quit date before taking Chantix. The good thing about this drug is that you don’t have to stop all at once. While taking the medication, you are allowed to smoke. However, you will notice that each day, smoking becomes less and less pleasurable. That’s the drug doing its job – blocking the nicotine receptors in your brain so it doesn’t produce any feel-good effect. Still, you have to prepare for some withdrawal symptoms because you are gradually reducing your nicotine dosage. Symptoms to watch out are headache, irritability and anxiety.
3. Once your ‘special day’ comes, stop smoking. Your quit date marks the time of being a non-smoker. Don’t worry because you may no longer be craving for one as long as you are taking Chantix. You may still feel the urge to smoke from time to time but then again, if you will light up, it no longer feels pleasurable.
4. Follow the right dosage. Chantix is normally taken in 12 days. You will start with a low dosage and gradually increase it. During the first three days, Chantix users normally start with half a milligram, taken once every day. Then, it is increased to 0.5 mg twice a day during the fourth to seventh day. Starting from the 8^th and up to the 12^th day, the dosage will be 1mg twice a day.  Most doctors recommend beginning the Chantix treatment at least one week before the quit date. Some smokers try to change their dosage without any advice from a doctor. But increasing the dosage may lead to unwanted side effects while reducing the dosage may not help a person quit at all.
5. Regularly consult your doctor. Your doctor needs to know your progress and other concerns that you may have while taking Chantix. Report any symptom or side effect that you may experience. While some side effects are normal, some are not so better tell everything to your doctor.

Chantix can be an effective treatment for quitting smoking. When taken correctly, and with the guidance of a health professional, you can increase your chance of quitting smoking today and say goodbye to cigarettes forever.

HELP to Quit Smoking:

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Quitting smoking can be a difficult challenge, unless you make use of a proven strategy. It’s good to know that there are numerous quit smoking methods that you can try to increase your success rate. Let’s talk about the seven best ways to quit.

Medication

A quit smoking drug called Chantix is a clinically proven method to reduce cigarette cravings. The drug works by blocking the nicotine receptors in the brain, which results to a significant decrease in the pleasurable effects of cigarettes.

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)

NRT comes in different forms such as nicotine patches, gums, nasal sprays, inhalers and lozenges. This method of quitting smoking uses a small dose of nicotine to suppress cigarette cravings and relieve symptoms of withdrawal.

Taper method

This quit smoking strategy involves cutting down on cigarettes. For example, if you normally smoke 10 cigarettes per day, you may want to reduce it to 8 for a week then lower it down to 5 for another week. However, a date should be set when you will need to stop smoking altogether. The taper method should help you cut back on smoking for no more than 2 weeks.

Counseling

Studies suggest that counseling can be an effective smoking cessation method. There are psychotherapists who specialize in helping clients get over an addiction which is considered a psychological illness. If you are not comfortable talking to a therapist in-person, you can always subscribe to online counseling centers for quitting smoking.

Self-Help Books

The book “Easy Way to Quit Smoking” by Allen Carr has helped over 9 million smokers in quitting their lifelong habit. This book uses a very friendly and practical approach to helping you quit. The author said you don’t even have to stop smoking while reading it. There are other self-help books that give you insights and information needed to successfully quit smoking.

Hypnosis

During hypnosis, both the conscious and the subconscious mind work together to overcome the barriers that hold you back from quitting successfully. This method can be an effective method to stop smoking now but it must be done with the guidance of a professional hypnotherapist.

Alternative Therapies

While there is lack of evidence supporting the effectiveness of alternative treatments for quitting smoking, many smokers swear by their benefits. Some of the popular therapies used by smokers are acupuncture, laser therapy and electro-stimulation.

Quitting Cold Turkey

There are people who can stop smoking even without the use of any medical intervention. The moment they decide to quit, they just throw all the cigarettes away and presto – they’ve successfully quit! But in the background lies the truth – quitting cold turkey requires extreme willpower, perseverance and sheer determination to eradicate the habit. It also necessitates planning and identifying the factors that may reduce your risk of success.

Other than using a proven strategy to quit, it is equally important to make sure that you have a strong willpower to go through this challenge. Thousands of people have already quit. If they have done it, so can you!

HELP to Quit Smoking:

• 5 People to Help You Quit
• 8 Natural Ways to Quit Smoking
• 5 Great Quit Smoking Aids
• The 5 Stages of Smoking Cessation
• Top 10 FAQs when Quitting Smoking