Cigarette Smoking is one of the leading preventable causes of diseases linked to heart and blood vessels. Moreover, smoking not only damages the lungs but also incites several other diseases in our body. Millions of non smokers , infants and children also fall prey to menace of passive smoking and are affected throughout their lives due to a smoker.

No matter how much or how long a person smokes, he always wishes to quit one day understanding the lifelong complications and problems his cigarette butt may give him. However , the most common excuse given is that “it is already too late to quit now”, or “I have tried several times but I can never quit !! ”

Is it Really too late now?

Irrespective of years or packs of cigarette smoked, you can always cut down on your risk of diseases such as heart attacks, lung cancer , Chronic obstructive Pulmonary Disease  and stroke the moment you quit ! What better, quit in time and your lifetime risk may be same as a non smoker.

How Do I Quit ?- The Golden Question

  • Though honest determination and will to quit smoking may be sufficient for some smokers, most people benefit from a doctor’s intervention in smoking . Research suggests that quit rates  and maintenance among patients who take even brief advice from  their doctors for smoking cessation are increased several folds.
  • Smoking cessation group or individual counseling  programs with a trained physician or a pulmonologist along with support by a psychologist is a highly successful and can benefit patients immensely
  • Step1: Decide to quit
  • Step 2 : List all reasons to quit – READ THEM EACH DAY
  • Step 3 : Track your packs: Remember what causes you to smoke and when it is toughest to avoid the craving- AVOID SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES
  • Step 4: Set target date to quit and ABIDE BY IT
  • Step 5: Stay Busy; throw out all cigarettes/lighters/ashtrays
  • Step 6: AVOID , AVOID , AVOID – substitute cravings for places, people and items that won’t let you smoke eg: your home, your office cabin, your kids, drinking cola or eating chocolates
  • Step 7 :If you default, don’t lose hope. Try again
  • Step 8 : Talk to a trained doctor. You may need nicotine replacement drugs, which may be chewing gums, lozenges, other tablets or patches in personalized dose. Remember patients who already have certain medical problems may not be advised specific forms of OTC smoking cessation medicines so avoid self medication .

What happens after I quit successfully?

  • You can live healthier and longer
  • You concentrate better
  • Your sense of taste and smell improves
  • You stay happier
  • You breathe easier
  • You are free from the “smell” of cigarettes
  • You feel alive and full of energy
  • You have lesser chances of heart disease, stroke, cancer and lung diseases.