How did you stop smoking?
824124
Quitting smoking is not an easy task. Just like other additctions the person(s) must really want to quit. That is the first step. Then, trying the patch or the gum. If one can't use them, then everytime you want a cigarette, you wait until as long as you can. Believe me this will help reduce the amount of cigarettes and can eventually lead to quitiing. Finally, if all else fails, quit cold turkey! Since smoking is a hand and mouth thing. Try just holding the cigarette and chewing some gum or sucking on hard candy.
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!
4547
I like FirstL's answer.  I found some tips:\nhttp://www.insuremylife.org/quitsmoking.html
53569
First and foremost, you have to really want to quit for good; and you have to actually quit—not just cut back.  Set a date a couple of weeks in advance and mentally prepare yourself for it. \n\nMake a list of reasons why you want to stop smoking and keep it with you.\n\nIt helps to realize that most cravings last for less than four minutes.  If you can fight through the first few days, then the first few weeks (using toothpicks, peppermints, etc), you'll begin to notice days and even whole weeks without a craving.\n\nI would advise AGAINST the patch and the gum.  The long term success rate of those is extremely low.\n\nI've found Wellbutrin (Zyban is the same thing) to be the most effective craving control method.  After 6-12 weeks on that, I didn't need it anymore.\n\n16 months smoke free.\n\n//
665509
COLD TURKEY.\n just walk away.\n stay away from smokers.\n it works I have been smoke free for over a year. \n ( 4 Packs a day.)\nwhy give the money to someone else.\nput it in your pocket.
160776
STEP 1\nNOT ALL SMOKERS ARE THE SAME\nIf you've had enough of being a smoker and just want to stop, then just do it! You will improve your chances of success if you get help as soon as possible. Ring Quitline on 0800 00 22 00 or email stopsmoking@quit.org.uk to find out what support will suit you best.\n\nIf you prefer to plan ahead, then that's fine too. Set a date not too far ahead and stick to it. You can use the time to find out what help is available and what should suit you by calling Quitline 0800 00 22 00 or email stopsmoking@quit.org.uk\n\nThe most important thing is that you are committed to your new life as a non smoker!\n\n \n \n    \n  Step 2\nCHOOSE THE RIGHT SUPPORT FOR YOU\nOnly 3% of smokers succeed by willpower alone\nBoth Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and Zyban have been proven to double a smoker's chance of quitting successfully. If you take NRT or Zyban AND get support from a local stop smoking group you increase your chances by up to 4 times!\n\nCigarettes deliver nicotine very quickly, which contributes to their addictive nature. However the nicotine in NRT is supplied in a slower and more controlled way. This is because NRT is designed to help you quit smoking and so reduces your need for nicotine, until you don't need it anymore.\n\nThere are a wide range of NRT products available. If you are having trouble deciding which product to use, give a QUIT counsellor a ring on 0800 00 22 00 and they will give you independent advice to suit your lfiestyle.\n\nYou could also try www.Click2Quit.com for a free personalised quit plan to help guide you through your quit attempt and a discussion board to talk to others who are quitting too. \n \n  \n All NRT products are available on prescription and can also be bought over the counter at pharmacies and large supermarkets. It's important to complete the full course of NRT as this increases your chances of quitting successfully. Some NRT formats may also help reduce weight gain associated with quitting smoking. Here's a brief description of the range of products available, to help you decide if NRT is right for you. Refer to individual packs for further details. \n  \n \n    \n  NICOTINE PATCH\n(NicAssist® - only available at Boots, Nicorette®, NiQuitin CQ®) \nPatches are most helpful to people who like to feel protected from cravings throughout the day. They are easy to use and should be applied to dry non-hairy skin such as the upper arm, thigh or chest. The patches offer a continous supply of nicotine throughout the day to help relieve the withdrawal symptoms and physical cravings you'll experience. You may still get urges to smoke but these will not be as strong.\n\nA patch lasts either 16 or 24 hours, each of which will come in three strengths delivering different amounts of nicotine, which is absorbed slowly through the skin. You are recommended to use them for up to three months depending on the brand you choose, starting off with the most appropriate strength for you. Always follow manufacturers' instructions. Some people experience a slight itching or redness of the skin and this can be lessened by varying the position of the patch when you apply a new one. \n  \n \n    \n   \n  NICOTINE GUM\n(NicAssist®, Nicorette®, Nicotinell®, NiQuitin CQ®)\nNicotine gum helps you to control your cravings whenever you feel the urge to smoke. It is different from ordinary chewing gum and can have a bitter taste, especially to begin with, so you may have to persevere in using it. It is important to use it properly to get the full benefit. Theh gum comes in two strengths, regular (2mg) and maximum (4mg) and in a choice of flavours. The brand you select will determine which strength you use. The gum should be chewed slowly and then rested between your gum and the side of your mouth, repeatedly, for about 30 minutes. You should gradually reduce the number of gums you chew after a period of about three months.\n\nMaximum strength NRT
433456
Smoking.  Haven't had a cigarette in 20 years now.  Tried cold turkey 3 times and failed... but then I got so sick with the flu that I didn't WANT to smoke for three days... and when I got better  the withdrawal was over so I decided to ride it out.  One of the best things I ever did for myself!
6637
There are a lot of products available, but there weren't when I quit.  So, I used the "cold turkey" method.  The longer you've smoked, the harder that one is, but it can be done.  However, nicotine addiction is the first and most important task to accomplish.  Long-term smokers have a tougher time without help.  Here's some info on kicking the addiction from the American Lung Association.
901575
Don't give in to them!  I found it helped me get through by telling myself that I could smoke as many as I wanted tomorrow and that I just had to get through today.  When tomorrow came I would say the same thing.  It was really hard to start with and so tempting to just have a cigarette, but after a few weeks the cravings had gone completely.  \n\nI found that counting days, then weeks and finally months gave me a mental milestone to say I'd reached.  I have not smoked for 16 months now, but I still tell myself that I can have another cigarette 'another day' if I really want one.  \n\nI know it's dreadful at the moment but if you stick with it it will be worth it. Just one little piece of advice that you can ignore if you like...try not to replace gigs with food or alcohol.  I did this to start with and put on over 14lbs!  I've lost it again now, but if someone had told me that advice 16 months ago I'd have been grateful!\n\nGood luck!
1065696
.\nFriend\nWe get into a habit easily and then the habit controls us.... once it becomes a habit, it destroys our Will Power\n\nThere are numerous web sites offering help in a professional manner..... there must be some help you could get in your town as well\n\nI have tried to find some helpful websites for you\n\nHope you soon get rid of this habit and find your health and happiness\n\nhttp://www.nicotine-anonymous.org/\nhttps://www.stopsmoking.ucsf.edu/index.aspx?src=GIndiaOnline&gclid=CKTzkJHgtIUCFQKIIgodVBKU0Q\nhttp://www.quit-smoking-guide.com/quit-smoking-product-reviews.htm\nhttp://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/how2quit.htm\nhttp://www.ash.org.uk/html/factsheets/html/fact24.html\n.\n\nI found 12 useful TIPS\n\n1--- Get professional help\n\n2--- Prepare mentally\n\n3--- Understand what to expect… Most people find the first few days difficult and for some it can be a long struggle, but things will typically start to get better after the third or fourth day.  Nicotine withdrawal may make you restless, irritable, frustrated, sleepless, or accident prone - but these things will pass and you will quickly start to feel the benefits.\n\n4--- Make a list of reasons why you want to stop smoking\n\n5--- Consider the money spent on smoking\n\n6--- Set a date…  Some people make a New Year’s Day resolution, others pick their birthday \n\n7--- Involve friends or family…  If you live with someone else who smokes, it will be much easier to quit if you do it together.\n\n8--- Deal with nicotine withdrawal.... you can roughly double the chances of successfully quitting smoking by using nicotine replacement therapies such as patches, lozenges, inhalers, and/or gum.  The idea is to come off nicotine gradually by using a low nicotine dose to take the edge off the cravings\n\n9--- Other treatments may help… Hypnosis, acupuncture or other treatments\n\n10--- Find a (temporary) substitute habit…It might be an idea to use chewing gum, drink more water, fruit juice or tea,  or to chew or eat something\n\n11--- Avoid temptation… In the difficult first few days you can change your routine to avoid situations where you would usually smoke. \n\n12--- Watch out for relapse… You will need to be on your guard especially in the first few days and weeks...You could lose everything you've achieved just in a momentary lapse.\n.
473988
I've quit more than once and the key is to keep busy so you don't dwell on the habit. The act of smoking is as addictive as the nicotine.\n\nGenerally, it takes about seven days for the body to rid itself of nicotine dependence, so your "withdrawals" will probably last about a week. Keep busy and when you feel the craving, divert it to something else (NOT candy, cookies, etc.). Preferably, some kind of physical activity (mop the floor, straighten your closet, etc.)\n\nKeep some cigarette butts (hidden away) that can be lit and good for no more than two or three drags if you really get desperate. Taking a "hit" will help alleviate the symptoms.\n\nObviously, only use them in case of severe symptoms, don't take more hits than absolutely necessary.\n\nYou can do it, but the method you choose has to be one you are willing to use since no method will work if you don't apply it.\n\nGood luck.
579651
Well, having quit myself I must say it is difficult.... especially "cold turkey".  I remember there were days that were easy, days that were hard and days that were close to impossible.  I had a huge problem trying to find something worthy of replacing my cigarette addiction.  Gum didn't do it, drinking water never worked, chewing on pens only ruined my teeth, and everything started looking like a cigarette.  What did work for me was hiking.  I hiked the Na Pali coast in Kauai and I was a hurtin' pup.  I felt like somebody stabbed me in the lungs.  It was at that point when I thought "hey Robin, smoking has done some damage here.  Let's work on fixin' this."  \n\nAnd so every day I would wake up and say "today I won't have a cigarette.....maybe tomorrow I will".  And then I'd go about my business trying to keep my mind occupied.   The tough times were when I had a glass of wine or when I was finished with a meal.  It took awhile for me to realize the meal ends when the food is gone....not when I light up a cigarette.  In fact, 5 years later, I still crave a nice smoke once in awhile.   I think it is something that stays with you always.  But the intense urges that you experience in the beginning will soon fade.  Each day will get slightly easier and before you know it weeks turn into months and months turn into years.   \n\nWhat Monitorhead is going through is rough but I can tell he is strong enough to make it through.  Please remind him, that if he caves in and lights up, although it won't be the end of the world, he will have to start at square one again when quitting.  7 days is awesome.  Keep up the good work!
46391
This is some good advice my doctor gave me about two months ago when I quit (successfully).  Count how many cigarettes you smoke a day, each week you reduce it by one or two (week one 10, week two 9-8 etc).  you do this until you are only left with one cigarette a day and that should be the one smoke that you absolutely needed to have (she called it the "necessary cigarette" or the one you absolutely “needed” to have).  Mine was at night on the fire escape before bed with a cup of tea... (sometimes I still miss it!) yours might be in the morning with a cup of coffee or after lunch.  The point is that you want to get rid of all the arbitrary cigarettes, all those you smoke just because.  If you really don't need it, you don't need it.\n\nSometimes it helps to have a buddy, I quit with my roommate (we kept each other on track).  If you slip and have a cigarette that’s okay, try hard not to buy a pack of cigarettes if you’re out with friends or if you’re stressed.  Bum one but don’t buy any.  The longer you go the longer you can the better chance you have.  My doctor also said that the average person makes at least 7 genuine attempts to kick a habit like smoking before they are successful, but you have to try hard and sincerely regardless.
41019
What I have been trying to do (which so far is helping a great deal) is when I have a craving for a cigarette, I have a glass of water or a piece of fruit.  Then I walk around my house and look for things to do.  Breaking the habit of putting something in my mouth has been the most difficult, but I honestly think that the water is helping.  I haven't quit yet, but I've gone from a pack a day to between 4 and 7 cigarettes a day in about two weeks.  Good luck to you : ) (and to me, too).
374993
ya the best way 2 quit smoking is to make up ur mind..if u decide in ur mind that u r not going to smoke again u can definately quit this habit u just need to exercise self restraint
1004070
Smoking is like an oral fixation...so sucking a lolly pop helps...i also cut up straws and would hold them in my mouth....it's hard...but you will feel so much better once you quit!! stick with it!
907703
I quit smoking last year on Halloween at this party we were at- ran out & then decided to quit for good.  I had terrible headaches but overcame them in time, but sought help online & hooked up with Nicotine Anonymous.  It is hard to quit as you can smell smokers everywhere & I still avoid our local casinos- but last year in Washington we passed a law saying no smoking in restraunts-25 feet away from a business etc.  That sure helped me-in fact I voted in favor of the law!   In the 80's my dad got lung cancer after smoking 3 packs a day- I quit smoking for 5 years- but took it up when he was in his final stages of dying. But I refuse to go back to smoking & reward myself all the time for not smoking- anything I want I can buy.  Please try to quit for you & your friend- www.Quitnet.com  - try this site.  My husband quit in 85 when we got together for my son who was 14- Trav is 33 & didn't even remember Rick smoking.   Now Trav's daughter Chloe ( our only grandchild)  will not remember me smoking as she is only 4.  When you  want a smoke- just pray & the urge will pass- it only last 10 minutes.  Meanwhile look around for a hobby  to occupy you hands!  Good luck- you can do it!