5 Strategies to Help You Stop Smoking

Why you should quit

People who quit smoking before the age of 40 reduce their risk of smoking related diseases by 90%. The odds are even better if they stop before 30. It’s never too late. Even if you have already been diagnosed with cancer, you can improve your chances of surviving by 60-70% if you stop smoking. You also increase your body’s ability to heal. The bottom line – you will live a longer and healthier life if you quit smoking.

ONE STEP AT A TIME, TOGETHER

Click here to learn about the importance of lung cancer screening

There are a range of other benefits to stopping smoking. Find out more about how it could drastically improve your health and wellbeing by reading our post on 5 Reasons Why You Need to Quit Smoking.

Why it’s tough to quit

It is difficult to stop smoking because it becomes associated with other activities. People smoke after a meal, while they socialize with friends or before they go to bed for the night. These habits can be hard to break. Also, the nicotine in tobacco products is addictive. This includes cigarettes, midwakh and shisha.

Strategies to help you stop

1. Have a plan. What triggers your urge to smoke? Identify the challenges you will face and think of ways you can overcome them. Remind yourself why your efforts to stop smoking will be worth it.
2. Look for help from a doctor, family and friends. You are more likely to succeed with support.
3. It may take you more than one attempt to quit for good, but don’t give up. Studies show that your chances of success improve as long as you keep trying.
4. Use a nicotine replacement therapy to quash your cravings. The pharmacy stocks many different forms: chewing gum, patches, lozenges, mouth/nasal spray or an inhaler.
5. Ask your doctor about medications which can reduce the urge to smoke or relieve withdrawal symptoms.