Quitting Smoking

When you think about the fact that about half of those who quit smoking return to it at some point, and even those who haven't smoked for years still get the odd craving - it's not difficult to understand why staying off the weed can be harder than quitting smoking in the first place.

Nicotine is a strong drug and it may take several attempts before you successfully quit smoking.

Withdrawal from the nicotine hit is one of the major reasons for failure to quit smoking but sheer force of habit plays a major role. Of course, if there are no regular smokers in your immediate social circle, quitting will be much easier. Research shows that failure to quit smoking is also more likely if:

• • you're a woman (nicotine dependency is stronger for female smokers)
  
• • you were a heavy smoker
  
• • you've been smoking for a long time
  
• • when you smoke you inhale deeply
  
• • you experience severe withdrawal symptoms
  

Tests have also shown that those of us who cheat during the first six months after quit smoking - even if it's just a few puffs on a cigarette - are highly likely to be smoking again by the end of those six months.

So - if you really want to quit smoking then be totally honest with yourself. If you have a lapse, admit it and resume your quit smoking program immediately. Start your count of smoke-free days from when you resume.

Think of the way you'll look if you carry on smoking. Think of the damage smoking is doing to your looks and the aging effects of smoking on your skin. Remember successful quitters are honest about their progress - with themselves and with the people helping them to quit. Successful quitters don't use a temporary lapse as a reason to start smoking again.