|
Making a New Year's resolution on January 1 can be one of the most exciting things about ending one year and starting the next. If you're one of the nearly 7 in 10 smokers who want to quit, why not make a resolution to get started this year? Smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the world, and quitting now can cut your risk and leave you feeling stronger and healthier.
Develop a quit plan.
Most smokers who want to quit try several times before they succeed, but you can take steps that can improve your chance. Planning ahead is a major part of successfully quitting smoking:
- Pick a quit date.
- Let loved ones know you're quitting so they can support you.
- List your reasons to quit smoking.
- Figure out what triggers make you want to smoke so you can avoid them, especially during the early days.
- Have places you can turn to for help right away.
Find a medication that's right for you.
Talk to your health care provider about medicines that may help you quit smoking. Because cigarettes contain nicotine, a powerfully addictive drug, when you first quit, your body may feel uncomfortable until it adjusts. This is known as withdrawal, and there are medications that can help lessen this feeling and the urge to smoke. Studies show that smokers who use medicine to help control cravings, along with coaching from a quitline, in a group or from a counsellor, are much more likely to succeed than those who go it alone. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or other health care provider before using any medications if you
- are pregnant or nursing;
- have a serious medical condition;
- are currently using other medications; or
- are younger than 18
Many options are available if you are considering using medications to help you quit smoking. The most common smoking medications are nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs), which give your body a little of the nicotine that it craves without the harmful chemicals found in burning cigarettes. Examples include nicotine patches, nicotine gum and nicotine lozenges.
You too can begin a healthier life this year by making a quit plan, using free resources (like government quit-smoking websites) and finding a smoking medication that's right for you. Even if you don't smoke yourself, you can help a friend or family member become smoke free now!
Reference:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health (OSH) (Updated 2016, 30 December). Countdown to quitting: Make 2018 your year to quit [Excerpt]. Retrieved 10 January 2018 from https://www.cdc.gov