Smoking cigarettes is an extremely popular trend and it is estimated that almost 40 million adults smoke cigarettes in the US alone. Unfortunately, smoking can have various side effects and increase your risk of developing health conditions including cardiovascular disease and lung cancer. Quitting cigarette smoking can be an effective way to improve your health and lead a healthier lifestyle.
That being said, giving up cigarettes is rarely easy and many people find giving up smoking to be a huge challenge. If you’ve decided that you want to get rid of cigarettes for good, then here are three steps to help you quit smoking.
Step 1: Decide that you want to quit
The first step is to decide that you want to quit smoking. Consider your reasons for wanting to quit and research the benefits of giving up smoking cigarettes. According to smokefree.gov, quitting smoking can improve health in most parts of your body including your heart, brain, skin, lungs, and muscles. Once you quit smoking, you will significantly reduce your likelihood of developing multiple medical conditions and should see an improvement in your overall health.
Along with the health benefits, quitting smoking can also save you significant amounts of money. The average packet of cigarettes costs $6-8 in the US. This can quickly add up and leave you spending hundreds of dollars on cigarettes each month, especially if you’re a heavy smoker. Giving up smoking cigarettes will mean that you have more disposable income to spend on enjoying your lifestyle. Breaking the cycle of addiction can be extremely difficult and many people struggle to give up cigarettes. Understanding the various health and cost benefits of quitting will motivate you to stay on the right track and not give in to temptation.
Step 2: Use smoking cessation tools
As mentioned above, quitting smoking is not an easy task and many people find it difficult to go cold turkey. Fortunately, there is a massive selection of smoking cessation tools on the market that are designed to help people transition from smoking cigarettes. These include nicotine patches and nicotine gum. These products can help you cope with nicotine withdrawal and cravings.
Vaping devices can also be a useful cessation tool when you are trying to give up smoking. Many vaping liquids contain nicotine and create the sensation of smoking, which makes it easier when you are trying to cut down on cigarettes. Experts at Variety E-Vape explain how they “stock a range of tobacco-flavored liquids for those who like the taste or are making the transition to vaping from being a smoker.” Make sure you take advantage of the many tools and resources available to ease the transition from smoking.
Step 3: Get quitting support online
Many online groups can offer valuable support and guidance when you are trying to quit smoking. Most of these programs are free to join and allow you to share your experience with other people who are in the process of giving up smoking. Research shows that smokers are far more likely to quit when they join a support program rather than trying to do it alone.
