Keep
Trying to Quit
Most former smokers have tried several times before quitting completely. If
you have tried to quit smoking but have failed, your odds of success are
getting better. Whether you are doing it for someone else or because you
decided for your own reason—any kind of motivation can work. It’s still going
to be difficult to quit, no matter how many times you try. It helps to set a
quit date and to enlist support from friends and family. Think of what life
would be like if you didn't smoke. Be good to yourself by getting enough sleep
and enjoying a walk to get some exercise. Only about 3% of quitters do it cold
turkey—most former smokers used a smoking cessation program. It’s worth the
effort, because smoking is so bad for your health and there are other reasons
too. Avoiding having to find a place to smoke, adding the time smoking takes
back to your day as well as saving money are some of the many benefits of being
a non-smoker. Realize that you may have some setbacks and want to smoke again.
Have a plan of what do when those times occur. Some ex-smokers keep chewing gum
handy, just in case.
SOURCES: Diabetes Forecast; American Lung Association
www.diabetes.org
http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=33567