Why is it so hard to quit smoking?
406973
i will repeat any drug is hard to give up.
228899
No matter what method you use to quit such as patch, pill you have to have the desire to quit or you will fail. Whenever you get the urge to smoke immediately occupy your mind with something and that urge will quickly pass. Most people that quit still get urges. I know several people that stopped 10+ years ago and still get the urge.
311666
Cold turkey. I did and yesterday was my 3 year anniversary with no smoking. My sister has tried with the patches and gum, but since it keeps giving you nicotine, she can't quit that way. It really isn't that hard to stop on your own, the cravings will stop after four or five days. Have confidence in yourself!
683223
Smoking is not so great.  But, I'm addicted to cigarettes and smoke them for that reason.  \n\nSmokers don't want to smell like cigarettes and be looking through a haze.  So, you smoke in such a way as to minimize it.\n\nMost smokers don't walk around with giant signs saying 'smoking rules!' and stuff like that.  Most are aware that it's a smelly and unhealthy habit and desire to quit.  \n\nIt's just pretty difficult to do, and takes some time to build up the courage.
186490
Smoking might be horrible, but it's addicting due to the nicotine in it. Same with other drugs. That's why most people do it. It's addiction. \nFor example, I'm addicted to chocolate. I cannot go a day without having chocolate. It's not bad for me (I mean it can give me acne or bad teeth even though I brush my teeth), I have to have chocolate.
670945
I used to help people quit smoking, and while I think that medically, it probably wouldn't kill you, the problem is...realistically, it's impossible to stay at just one for the rest of your life. Nicotine is highly addictive, and the more you get used to it, the more you'll need to keep you feeling the effects. I wouldn't try it...it would be so hard to quit if you do get hooked and chances are strongly against you that you could keep to one cig a day.
71779
Because by removing nicotine, you've only removed some of the bad stuff.\nAlso people are addicted to nicotine so they only smoke more.
160950
I am in the proccess of quitting too.\n\nI found one thing that is working for me is to turn the negative "I want a cigarette", into a positive.\n\nWhen I am feeling that overwhelming feeling, I say out loud "I do NOT want a cigarette!"  sometimes I yell at my other 1/2 "I do NOT want a cigarette RIGHT NOW!!!!!"  I know it sounds crazy, but it is good reinforcement for yourself.\n\nThe other thing is to remember that the cravings only last a very short time. Just talk yourself through them.  I try to remember that it is MY choice to quit.\n\nI wish you all of the best of luck and God Bless.
150802
I went from almost a pack a day last month to none 5 days ago..... The best thing you can do is quit them, or never start, it's MUCH easier to never start smoking than it is to quit smoking.
363606
Dear Friend, \n\nGood on you that you want to quit. YOU CAN DO IT!!! Can a smoker overcome the physical addiction and habitual behaviors of tobacco use? The answer is a resounding yes. Not only is quitting possible, but it is also highly beneficial. It is never too late to stop using tobacco. Quitting at any age and in any state of health improves one’s health.\nBecause no single condition leads to tobacco dependence, no single solution cures smokers of their dependence on cigarettes. Some people are able to quit smoking easily, while some find quitting so difficult that they do not quit even when facing tobacco’s serious health problems. Smokers who believe that quitting smoking will be easy or that God will make it easy for them may become disillusioned if they experience the normal withdrawal symptoms or if they relapse back to smoking. Therefore, it is wise for smokers to take time to plan this important change carefully and prayerfully.\n\nSuccessful treatment can include at least three components: (1) counseling and advice from a skilled, knowledgeable professional, with a focus on developing problem-solving skills, overcoming barriers to quitting, and preventing relapse; (2) support from friends and family members; and (3) the possible correct, careful use of legal stop-smoking medications, including nicotine replacement and other drugs tested for safety and effectiveness.\n\nA local hospital or clinic may offer a stop-smoking group, and a health professional may be able to provide expert advice about medications that can help ease the physical and emotional discomfort of withdrawal symptoms. A nicotine replacement medication helps control withdrawal symptoms over a period of weeks or months while the ex-smoker gradually becomes accustomed to living without tobacco. 11 Nicotine replacement products are not designed to replace nicotine permanently; rather, the ex-smoker tapers off the nicotine replacement medication over a period of weeks.\n\nThe least successful way to stop smoking is to try to quit all at once, or “cold turkey,” without any kind of help. Quitting this way may seem like a good idea at the time, but statistics show that only a very small percentage of those who attempt to quit this way will still be smoke-free a year later. The work of quitting smoking involves not only the initial actions of becoming tobacco-free, but also the lifetime task of remaining tobacco-free.\n\nCheers
630155
Congratulations on quitting!! As a former smoker I know exactly how you feel. For me quitting was one of the toughest things I have ever done. It is very common for people to start up again after quitting, especially when confronted by stress in life. The best things you can do are the following: throw away all smoking related things(ashtrays,lighters etc.)Try to avoid places where people smoke. What helped me alot was chewing on plastic straws,gum etc. I tried the patches and the nicotine gum and they really did not do anything for me. You just have to set your mind on this goal and tell yourself you can do it. Reward yourself somehow for every day you go without. Good luck!!
268639
20 Quick Tips to Help You Quit Smoking\n1. Believe in yourself. Believe that you can quit. Think about \nsome of the most difficult things you have done in your life and \nrealize that you have the guts and determination to quit \nsmoking. It's up to you.\n\n2. After reading this list, sit down and write your own list, \ncustomized to your personality and way of doing things. Create \nyou own plan for quitting.\n\n3. Write down why you want to quit (the benefits of quitting): \nlive longer, feel better, for your family, save money, smell \nbetter, find a mate more easily, etc. You know what's bad about \nsmoking and you know what you'll get by quitting. Put it on \npaper and read it daily.\n\n4. Ask your family and friends to support your decision to quit. \nAsk them to be completely supportive and non-judgmental. Let \nthem know ahead of time that you will probably be irritable and \neven irrational while you withdraw from your smoking habit.\n\n5. Set a quit date. Decide what day you will extinguish your \ncigarettes forever. Write it down. Plan for it. Prepare your \nmind for the "first day of the rest of your life". You might \neven hold a small ceremony when you smoke you last cigarette, or \non the morning of the quit date.\n\n6. Talk with your doctor about quitting. Support and guidance \nfrom a physician is a proven way to better your chances to quit.\n\n7. Begin an exercise program. Exercise is simply incompatible \nwith smoking. Exercise relieves stress and helps your body \nrecover from years of damage from cigarettes. If necessary, \nstart slow, with a short walk once or twice per day. Build up to \n30 to 40 minutes of rigorous activity, 3 or 4 times per week. \nConsult your physician before beginning any exercise program.\n\n8. Do some deep breathing each day for 3 to 5 minutes. Breathe \nin through your nose very slowly, hold the breath for a few \nseconds, and exhale very slowly through your mouth. Try doing \nyour breathing with your eyes closed and go to step 9.\n\n9. Visualize your way to becoming a non-smoker. While doing your \ndeep breathing in step 8, you can close your eyes and begin to \nimagine yourself as a non-smoker. See yourself enjoying your \nexercise in step 7. See yourself turning down a cigarette that \nsomeone offers you. See yourself throwing all your cigarettes \naway, and winning a gold medal for doing so. Develop your own \ncreative visualizations. Visualization works.\n\n10. Cut back on cigarettes gradually (if you cut back gradually, \nbe sure to set a quit date on which you WILL quit). Ways to cut \nback gradually include: plan how many cigarettes you will smoke \neach day until your quit date, making the number you smoke \nsmaller each day; buy only one pack at a time; change brands so \nyou don't enjoy smoking as much; give your cigarettes to someone \nelse, so that you have to ask for them each time you want to \nsmoke.\n\n11. Quit smoking "cold turkey". Many smokers find that the only \nway they can truly quit once and for all is to just quit \nabruptly without trying to slowly taper off. Find the method \nthat works best for you: gradually quitting or cold turkey. If \none way doesn't work do the other.\n\n12. Find another smoker who is trying to quit, and help each \nother with positive words and by lending an ear when quitting \nbecomes difficult. Visit this Bulletin Board and this Chat Room \nto find a "quit buddy."\n\n13. Have your teeth cleaned. Enjoy the way your teeth look and \nfeel and plan to keep them that way.\n\n14. After you quit, plan to celebrate the milestones in your \njourney to becoming a non-smoker. After two weeks of being \nsmoke-free, see a movie. After a month, go to a fancy restaurant \n(be sure to sit in the non-smoking section). After three months, \ngo for a long weekend to a favorite get-away. After six months, \nbuy yourself something frivolous. After a year, have a party for \nyourself. Invite your f
588400
I quit once for 9 years a long time ago.  It was very hard at that time.  In fact, I got so agitated and irritable that I could not stand to be around myself...and that is really bad.  I did make it through this hard time and quit for 9 years.  Then I started again for over 8 years. I am now one month into my new quit smoking life.  It has been easier this time, but then I am older and a lot wiser then I was before.  Nicotine is one heck of an addiction, and for some it is harder to quit then hard drugs or alcohol.
66492
You know its time for a change.  You can't just change this habit.  Its about how you are going to deal with the stress that comes up in your life.  You got to face your problems without running to some instant fix.  *the cigarette*  \n\nSecond, you got to take a proven route.  Look up Smoker annoyomous in your area.  Take the patch or gum.  You need someone that will support you in your tough times.  Maybe someone who also stopped.   When your tempted, remind yourself about the things  you hate about smoking.  So expensive.  The bad lungs.  Whatever reason you want to stop.  Remember it when your tempted
618716
I smoked for 11 years at it wasn't easy to quit.  What I found worked best was to make a list of all the time throughout the day when you usually have a smoke.  Take a good look at the list and decide which one you don't 'need'.  Cut that one out and do it for a week.  Then take another look at the list and cut another one.  Keep going as long as you have to to get down to none.  By the time you get to one, you usually have enough confidence in yourself to look at it and think "I don't need this - it's not worth it."  It took me 11 weeks to quit that way because my average intake was 11 cigarettes (just over half a pack) a day.  By doing it this way, I didn't feel deprived because I knew my next smoke was just a few hours away.  I hadn't quit cold turkey and I made the decision as to which one to cut out and when.  It gave me a great feeling of empowerment.  I know it sounds like it would take forever this way, but slow and steady really does win the race.\n\nBest of luck!
378910
A better question is:  "Why do people start to smoke today?"\n\nObviously, people become addicted and find it difficult to quit.  But, why on earth would anyone in the year 2006 stick a cancer stick in his mouth for the first time?  Anyone who does is a complete idiot.
387231
Aren't you special, lucky you. I quit cold turkey 15 years ago. It was very difficult. Smoking is a proven addiction AND a disgusting, unhealthy, stinky (I could go on) habit. Everyone that smokes should try to quit and never stop trying to quit. A habit is checking your oil everytime you fill your tank. An addiction is smoking after every meal.