Some interesting info I found online

we’ve known for a long time there are no benefits whatsoever from smoking cigarettes. We know it harms your health, is a major contributor to lung cancer as well as making your teeth yellow and your clothes and breath smell bad.

Non-smokers can’t stand it and it is an incredibly expensive habit to boot. Many people realise these drawbacks and desire to quit smoking which they often attempt as a New Year’s resolution.

Statistically only about 10 per cent of those who make the resolution to quit are smoke free six months later.

Just making a resolution to quit is not nearly enough as smoking is a chemical addiction that has smokers craving their next hit of nicotine.

As far as quitting goes, knowledge is power and becoming smarter than your addiction is strong, leads to success.

Quitting cold turkey might sound hard, but it is as good a way as any and the health benefits are immediate.

Dealing with withdrawal

The first 72-hours of nicotine withdrawal are the hardest. Withdrawal peaks by day three and two to three weeks after that the brain re-adjusts to function without it.

Specific times, locations, activities, people or emotions will spark an expectation in the subconscious mind for a new supply of nicotine so be aware of what your vulnerabilities are.

Tips for success

Write down your motivations for quitting so when cravings hit you can reach for this list of excellent reasons.

Carry this with you as a first defence and to keep your dreams alive. Make sure you eat small healthy meals often during quitting to fuel your body properly. Alternatively though, be sure not to use food as a crutch to replace smoking as this can lead to weight gain.

Try instead to spread your normal daily calorie intake evenly throughout the day.

Smokers can feel stressed during withdrawal and readjustment. This is a good time to practice slow, deep breathing or even meditation if you know how.

Don’t think in terms of quitting forever. Instead make it manageable with a mantra such as ‘one day at a time.’

Celebrate each challenge you overcome, each part of life reclaimed and each day of freedom and healing.

Within two weeks you should begin to see that triggers, or things you did in the grip of your nicotine addiction, can be done comfortably without it.

Reward yourself by putting aside the money that you would have spent buying cigarettes and treat yourself to something you really want after a week, month or year.

Finally, never give up. If you relapse regather your resolve and try again until you are successful.