Quitting Smoking

After 17 years of smoking, I managed to quit in Sept 2007 (one and a half years now).

I keep getting asked how I've stayed off cigarettes so long so I'm writing this to share with all those who are trying to quit as well.

During those years puffing away on cigarettes, I had tried several times to stop. Most attempts lasted a few months and I'd usually pick up a cigarette again when I encountered stress, was out drinking or got emotional.

On my last attempt, I was struggling with the urge to smoke quite a bit when a close friend told me not to quit using the will power method as that was very likely to fail. Statistically, with no programme at all, 95% of quitters fail, and only 5% succeed*.

So it's wise to get help. Whether in the form of a book or a programme.

These books & programmes help us to learn to be smoke free. After years of thinking we need to smoke and being conditioned to want to smoke at specific situations, like after a meal, learning to be smoke free is often necessary in order to successfully quit.

What worked for me was the book by Allen Carr entitled The Easyway To Stop Smoking

Some quitters have opted for medication and the reported initial success rate is 36% upon completion of therapy. A follow-up study showed a 30% success rate, after one year*.

With Nicotine Replacement Therapy the initial success rate is less -- 23%, and only 15% after one year*.

When medication and NRT is used in combination under a physician's care, the success rate was 39%, and 35.5% at one year. This study was published in the NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE in March, 1999.

Getting help to quit is key to successfully being smoke free.

As this blog puts it: "There is a difference between just trying to abandon smoking and learning how to quit smoking."

See: http://www.easyquitsystem.com/blog/quit-smoking-cold-turkey-success-rates/

So if you're thinking of quitting, try the book first to find out how to live life smoke free and release yourself from dependence on cigarettes.

Speak to your doctor or healthcare professional if that doesn't work.



More info:
Allen Carr's Easyway To Stop Smoking
Priced at RM49.50 at Kinokuniya Malaysia
Priced at $26.70 at Kinokuniya Singapore
Quitting Champ

* source http://www.tobaccofree.org/quitlinks.htm