I have never been a smoker. In my teens I tried to be ‘with the crowd’ and smoked at parties or when I was with a group of smokers. I can’t say I enjoyed it, so it was easy for me to stop. It never became a habit and I’ve always been grateful for that.
So what would you know about it, you say? She had family and many friends who smoked continuously, it was something they all did! I’m going to go back a few years, but that was when there were no restrictions on smoking, nor did anyone realize the damage that was being done to your health.
A large percentage of people smoked for pleasure in pubs, clubs, offices, cars, buses, planes, restaurants, you name it. Temptation was everywhere you went, and it was especially noticeable when you were trying to break the habit. I don’t think there’s ever been a movie where someone didn’t ‘light up’.
therefore, the quit failure rate was very high. It was all too easy to accept the offered cigarette at the club or restaurant after dinner, and once you relaxed your resolve to quit, you were back to square one.
Little was said about the harmful effects of smoking until the 1970s, but when sensible people realized the damage they were doing to themselves, they increasingly gave up the habit. Lots of heavy smokers just kicked the habit, including my dad and brother, and cold turkey was the only way to do it in those days. One day they were smoking, the next they weren’t.
Those who chose to quit cold turkey and make a complete break overcame the urge to smoke faster and soon enjoyed the satisfaction, sense of well-being, good health, and financial benefits of not smoking.
Surely it must be easier to quit smoking now that smokers are in the minority and smoking is banned in many of the old places where it was once so popular.
Here are some relevant facts about smoking:
* One in two recreational users will become addicted.
* Smoking is more addictive than heroin, cocaine or alcohol.
* Most smokers start smoking before the age of 19.
* Young people are twice as likely to smoke if their parents smoke.
* The symptoms of addiction, ie having a strong urge to smoke, feeling anxious or irritable, feeling depressed or trying unsuccessfully not to smoke, can appear within a few days of becoming a ‘casual’ smoker.
* Almost half of all urban garbage is tobacco related.
Now here are 7 no-fail steps to quit smoking:
1. It is vital that you make a firm decision to quit smoking. This is extremely important: nothing, nothing, will happen until you decide that you will never smoke another cigarette again.
2. Analyze your reasons for quitting – Is it the cost? Are you worried about your health? Are you worried about what others think?
3. Visualize the benefits: You’ll be amazed at how good the food tastes. Your sense of smell will return, you will feel better and you will be more fit and active. (This won’t happen overnight, but rest assured, it will.)
4. Know clearly why you want to quit smoking and make up your mind to quit.
5. You must adopt the attitude and belief that you do not smoke; I DO NOT SMOKE!!
6. Never, ever light a cigarette again – NEVER EVER.
7. You can do it, and once you make up your mind, once you’re committed, the faster you do it, the better. Don’t procrastinate, just do it!