It may take you a while to learn to be a non-smoker.Īlthough you may be feeling disappointed, you should take pride in what you have achieved. Most people who have quit smoking for good have made several serious attempts. Plan another date to quit as soon as possible. For example, remind yourself how long you've gone without smoking. If you slip up and have a smoke, don't be hard on yourself - it's not the end of the world and it doesn't mean you won't be able to quit.įocus on your success, rather than your failure. It's hard to quit smoking, especially if you've been smoking for a long time. Overcoming setbacks If you have a cigarette Having a good support network is a great way to increase your chances of quitting and staying smoke-free. Remind yourself why you're doing this and use your strategies to deal with cravings and withdrawal. If you're struggling and finding it hard to resist the temptation to smoke, it's a good idea to go back to your quit plan. Drink water - sip it slowly and savour the taste.Distract yourself - take your mind off smoking by listening to music, going for a walk, chatting to a friend, using the My QuitBuddy app Visit the New York State Smokers Quitline, or call 866-NY-QUITS (86), to apply for a free starter kit of nicotine medications and to talk to a quit.Deep breathe - take 3 long slow breaths.Delay acting on the urge to smoke - after a few minutes the craving will decrease.
Identifying your triggers - what makes you smoke - can help you plan how to deal with them. The first week can be the hardest as cravings can be frequent and intense. Offers free information, tobacco treatment referral, phone counseling, online program and text messaging 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-QUIT-NOW. Dealing with cravingsįew smokers can quit without feeling the urge to smoke. Read our tips for dealing with common withdrawal symptoms. These are different for every person, but are not dangerous and usually decrease with time. Nicotine is a drug and when you stop smoking you will experience withdrawal symptoms. These strategies may help you when you try again. If you’re one of those people, don’t despair, keep at it.
įor some people, it may take several attempts to quit successfully. The “txt2stop” study found that 10.7 percent of smokers receiving motivational texts about quitting smoking were smoke-free six months later, compared with 4.9 percent of smokers not receiving supportive texts.On this page If at first you don't succeed. Teens can sign up for the program at or text QUIT to iQUIT (47848).Ī study published in 2011 found text messages that urge smokers to quit can double smoking cessation rates.
“With 75 percent of youths between the ages of 12 and 17 owning a cell phone, there is immense potential for mobile technologies to affect health awareness and behavior change among teens,” Augustson said in a news release. The rate, while low, is higher than the average teen quit rate of 2 to 3 percent. He noted the teens participating in the program have a quit rate of about 12 percent after one month, and 6 percent at six months. It responds to the teens’ texts with suggestions, advice and encouragement, providing tips about controlling their moods and managing cravings.Ībout 500 teens are enrolling each week, Augustson said. The program checks in daily to see how the teens are doing. Teens who sign up for the texts choose a quit date. The text messaging program, called SmokefreeTXT, lasts about eight weeks.Įrik Augustson of the NCI’s Tobacco Control Research Branch says teens generally don’t respond well to traditional quit-smoking messages, because they don’t see themselves as smokers and underestimate how difficult it is to quit. Stay strong! Cravings fade even without smoking & youll be proud for staying focused.” The messages (written in “teen speak”), and their timing, are based on texts sent by the participating teens, describing their tobacco cravings and moods. One text says, “Smoking 1 may seem like the answer but you know its not. There are many programs, such as the one at that offer programs and resources to help you quit smoking. A smartphone app designed by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) texts teens to help them quit smoking, Politico reports.