Stop smoking now!

It’s the best thing you can do to dramatically reduce your risk of having a heart attack or other heart-related problems.

We understand it’s not an easy task. Nicotine is an EXTREMELY ADDICTIVE DRUG. But here’s some information that can help you quit smoking.

First – it takes approximately 7-10 days for the body to purge nicotine from the system. The first 72 hours are the most difficult and the most crucial. You may experience: anxiety, nervousness, tension, irritability, craving, headache, difficulty concentrating, sense of loss, and increased appetite.

Ways to quit:

• Make smoking distasteful by smoking a brand you don’t like.
• Smoke only one half of a cigarette.
• Each day postpone your cigarette for one hour.
• Don’t empty your ashtrays - it will remind you of how many cigarettes you’ve smoked.
• Stop buying cigarettes by the carton.
• Try making smoking unpleasant – for example if you like smoking with others, smoke alone.
• Collect all your cigarette butts in a clear glass jar and use as a reminder of how unhealthy smoking is.

Important tips to remember:

• Breaking routine is crucial in getting through the first 72 hours of nicotine withdrawal.
• Tobacco odor is a big trigger, so remove items in your home and car by doing a thorough search and cleaning to get rid of all supplies.
• Keep busy – boredom is a trigger. Exercise is a good way to keep busy.
• Drink lots of water to flush the nicotine from the body.
• Look into joining a tobacco cessation group.
• Ask your doctor about tobacco cessation aides, like patches, etc.
• Reinforce all the positive impacts on quitting: improved appearance and health, confidence, savings, etc.