Stop Smoking

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Write a list of the reasons why you want to stop

Keep them with you. Refer to them when tempted to light up. 

Set a date for stopping

And stop completely.

Some people prefer the idea of cutting down gradually. However, research has shown that if you smoke fewer cigarettes than usual, you are likely to smoke more of each cigarette, and nicotine levels remain nearly the same. Therefore, it is usually best to stop once and for all from a set date.

Tell everyone that you are giving up smoking

Friends and family often give support and may help you. Smoking by others in the household makes giving up harder. If appropriate, try to get other
household members who smoke, or friends who smoke, to stop smoking at the same time. A team
effort may be easier than going it alone.

Take one day at a time

Mark off each successful day on a calendar. Look at it when you feel tempted to smoke, and tell yourself that you don't want to start all over again.

Be positive

You can tell people that you don't smoke. You will smell better. After a few weeks you should feel better, taste your food more, and cough less. You will have more money. Perhaps put away the money, which you would have spent on cigarettes, for a treat!

Other resources

Quit

A charity that helps people to stop smoking

• Quitline: 0800 00 22 00
• Visit the website

You can get more information about stopping smoking on the NHS Website or by calling 0800 022 4 332