Testimony of a Quitter

It's my 8^th day without cigarettes. And it's making me cranky, grumpy and totally obnoxious. This is my nth time to quit smoking and I'm hoping that this time it will work. The mood swings and depression are but natural effects of giving up the nicotine. I'm having a hard time but I know I can make it. I'm doing it cold turkey, without pills or patches, just sheer determination and a daily reminder that only I can save myself from the evils of nicotine.

I started smoking since I was in college, cigarettes were always there for me when I'm sad, angry, anxious, bored, stressed, excited or felt like I was in despair. Now, I smoke almost two packs a day. I realized, this has got to stop. Cigarettes has controlled my life for so long and now I'm ready to let go. The US Surgeon General has issued a report about the addictive components of nicotine and how this substance leads to lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. Cigarette manufacturers themselves admit to the dangerous effects of their products by printing warnings on cigarette packs: “Cigarette smoking is dangerous to your health,” “Smoking can cause impotence,” “Smoking kills.” I would be extremely suicidal or totally stupid to continue the habit.

It helps that my family and friends are supportive of my efforts. They encourage me and try their best to keep cigarettes away when I'm around. They even threw all the ashtrays in my place out to the garbage. A friend suggests that I should take on a new hobby to distract myself when cravings come. Another one volunteered to accompany me to a yoga class. This effort is altering the lifestyle that I've been accustomed to but I'm willing to take it as long as it will set me free from smoking. Wish me luck.

Quit Smoking Now

Recent studies showed that lung cancer accounted for more deaths than any other types of cancer. Almost all of us know someone, a family member, a friend, an officemate, or a neighbor, who succumb to this illness. Smoking is the greatest risk factor for this disease. Harmful substances in tobacco smoke damage lung cells. So if you are a smoker, beat the habit now and spare yourself and the people around you from lung cancer.

Giving up nicotine is probably the hardest thing a smoker will ever do. But with patience, determination and discipline nothing is impossible. Millions of people gave up smoking for good. If they can do it, you can beat the habit too.

Experts say that the most effective way of giving up smoking is the cold turkey technique wherein you just stop from smoking and throw cigarettes away, even the ashtrays. This technique works by stopping the entry of nicotine into the body and metabolizing and excreting all the remaining nicotine out of the body. The hard part is dealing with the cravings. Nicotine is very addictive and when the nicotine level in your bloodstream drops, your body will look for it, thus the cravings. These cravings are more psychological than physical in nature. One way of dealing with them is by changing your cigarette-related behavior. If you are used to having a cup of coffee and a cigarette during office breaks, try having tea and donuts instead. Try to change your routines that previously involves smoking.

It may be easier said than done but if you put your heart into it, you can make it.