Step 1: Select Your Reason for Quitting
Quitting smoking or chewing is one of the most important things you will ever
do. Choose from below the main reason you want to quit:
You must select at least one option.
Methods to Help you Stop Using Tobacco
The good news is, there have never been so many choices of ways to quit using tobacco. Please select the method you plan to use from the list below.
Find out more about each method of quitting by rolling your mouse over each item below. Learn more about
nicotine containing medication (NCM).
You must select a quit method in order to continue.
People who quit smoking cold turkey choose not to use a quit aid to help them stop smoking. The advantage to this method is that most of the nicotine is out of the body within a few days. It’s the simplest method: Stop smoking and choose to never have another cigarette.
Heavy smokers experience nicotine withdrawal for 2 to 3 weeks after quitting cold turkey. Symptoms include irritability, depression, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and restlessness. If you have had a difficult time trying to quit in the past, studies show you should consider trying an assisted quit method.
| An effective way to quit smoking is with a combination of counseling and NCM. Counseling can help smokers identify and overcome situations that trigger the urge to smoke. Whether you get a few words of encouragement from your doctor, call a quit line, join a group program, or have a one-on-one session with an expert in smoking cessation, counseling can help keep you focused and motivated to quit.
Few to none. If a certain forum or counselor doesn’t work for you, you can always try a different one.
| NCMs provide a measured dose of nicotine to help ease physical withdrawal symptoms. This allows you to concentrate on changing your smoking habits without dealing with the effects of nicotine withdrawal. These treatments can be especially helpful if you’re a heavy smoker or if you have had trouble quitting cold turkey.
NCMs can be harmful for pregnant women if the 24-hour patch is used or if excessive gum and/or sprays are used. Talk to your doctor before giving NCMs a try, especially if you are taking other medications. It is also very important to not smoke when using any NCM because of the risks of a nicotine overdose. Symptoms of a nicotine overdose include muscular twitching, convulsions, coma, fainting, difficulty breathing, abdominal cramps, and vomiting.
| Smoking cessation prescription medications are clinically proven to help smokers. They are easy to take, nicotine-free, and come in a pill form. For more information on these products, consult with your doctor.
The known side effects include insomnia, dry mouth, and nausea. Prescription medications should not be used by patients with eating disorders or seizure disorders, or by those taking certain other medications. For more information on these products and the potential side effects, consult your doctor.
| Some people may choose acupuncture, hypnosis, and homeopathic remedies to help them quit. Hypnosis helps you to relax when you get the desire to smoke or helps strengthen your determination to quit.
The alternative methods are not scientifically proven to be effective or clinically tested in the same way other therapies are. If you choose to use an alternative therapy, please make sure that the practitioner you use is qualified.
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