Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking is responsible for more than 480,000 deaths each year.
Fortunately, you can stop smoking at any age. The American Cancer Society reports that smoking cigarettes is the most common cause of cancer deaths for American men (16%) and women (19%).
The CDC also reports that smoking can cause:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Lung cancer
- Breast cancer
- Kidney cancer
If you’re interested in stopping smoking, it can be difficult to find help. However, there are many ways to stop smoking that are proven to be effective.
The following is a list of some of the most effective tips.
1. Quit smoking in the morning.
Your body is most active and alert in the morning. That’s why it’s best to stop smoking before you go to bed. If you don’t, your body won’t be able to get rid of the toxins that are in cigarettes.
2. Choose a quit date.
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that you quit smoking at least 6 weeks before your quit date. This gives your body time to adjust to being without cigarettes.
3. Find a friend or family member to help you quit.
If you don’t have a friend or family member to help you, you can choose to quit alone. Your relationship with your loved ones will help you to make the right decision.
4. Get support from your doctor and health care provider.
You can ask them for support and guidance. They may be able to help you quit smoking. Your doctor may be able to prescribe medication.
5. Keep on top of your medications.
When you quit smoking, you’ll need to stop taking all of your prescription medications. This includes any that have nicotine or other nicotine replacements.
6. Choose the best product to help you quit.
There are many products and brands of tobacco products available. There’s also a lot of misinformation about the products out there. The best product for you to use depends on what you’re trying to quit.
If you’re trying to quit smoking cigarettes or vaping you might want to try an e-cigarette.
7. Keep a journal.
Keep a journal of your day-to-day activities, such as:
- What you ate
- How much you exercise
- How much time you spend on the internet
- How much time you spend watching TV
The journal can help you keep track of your smoking and vaping habits.
8. Find a good support group.
If you’re having trouble quitting smoking, you may want to find a support group. You can learn from other people who have quit smoking. You can also ask your doctor or health care provider if there are any support groups in your area.
9. Find a counselor or mental health professional.
You can ask your doctor for a referral to a counselor or mental health professional. They can help to guide you through the process of quitting smoking.
10. Try to quit on your own.
You may need to commit to quitting on your own. You might also need to find a support group for some support.
11. Talk with your family.
If you have family members who smoke, talk to them about your plan to quit smoking. You can also talk to your children about the benefits of quitting smoking.
12. Talk to your doctor.
If you’re having trouble quitting, you may want to talk to your doctor. They can help you to develop a plan of action.
13. Consider a nicotine replacement product.
Nicotine replacement products can help you to reduce your nicotine cravings. You may want to try a nicotine patch.
14. Find out if your doctor has special guidelines for smoking cessation.
You may need to see your doctor for a consultation. They may have specific guidelines for quitting smoking.
15. Write down your reasons for quitting.
When you’re quitting smoking, it’s important to write down your reasons for quitting. The more you write down, the more likely you’ll be to stick with your plan.
16. Set a quit date.
Set a quit date to help yourself stick with your plan of action.
17. Make a plan for the future.
If you plan to quit smoking, you want to be prepared for the future. This can help you to cope with the loss of cigarettes.
18. Choose a support group.
If you aren’t sure where to start, you may want to talk to other people who have quit smoking. They can help you to find the resources you need.
19. Talk to your friends and family members.
If you have close friends or family members who smoke, talk to them. You can also talk to your children and loved ones.
20. Ask your doctor for help.
If you can’t quit smoking on your own, ask your doctor about how they can help.
21. Talk with a counselor.
If you can’t quit on your own, consider talking to a counselor. They can help you to cope with the stress of quitting.
22. Consider a prescription medication.
If you don’t have a plan for quitting smoking, you may want to talk to your doctor about a prescription medication.
23. Use a nicotine replacement product.
A nicotine replacement product can help you to reduce your nicotine cravings.
24. Find an alternative to cigarettes or e-cigarettes.
You can try an alternative to cigarettes or e-cigarettes. These options include:
- Vaping: You can use a portable vaporizer to help you quit smoking.
- Nicotine patches: You can apply a patch to your skin. You can also chew a nicotine gum.
- Nicotine lozenges: You can chew lozenges. You can also apply lozenges.
- Cessation products: You can buy products to help you quit.
25. Get help from a support group.
If you can’t quit smoking on your own, you may want to talk to a support group. You can learn from other people who have quit smoking and develop a plan of action.
What is the outlook for people with COPD who want to quit smoking?
You can control your COPD with treatment and medication. This can help you to avoid complications, such as a worsening of your condition.
You may be able to control your COPD if you follow a healthful diet, stay active, quit smoking, and take your medications as prescribed.
If you want to help your COPD, ask your doctor about smoking cessation counseling. You may also want to consider a nicotine replacement product.
If you try to quit smoking on your own, you may need to see a health care provider for support.
The bottom line
COPD is a progressive condition that causes shortness of breath. People with COPD may be at risk for developing another health condition. They may also develop other health conditions.
COPD can’t be cured, but it can be controlled. It’s important to talk to your doctor about quitting smoking.
Images by Freepik
