How to Quit Smoking - Tips and Tricks

Quitting smoking is a commendable decision that can significantly improve your health and well-being, as shown multiple times with testable evidence and repeatable experiment. This form of harm-reduction has been proven to be the most effective time and time again, with millions of people in the UK successfully quitting smoking after making the switch to vaping.

No other form of nicotine delivery is as powerful as vaping; let's ne honest, we like to keep our hands busy, and seeing a little cloud of reassurance come out of our mouths during an exhale is further confirmation to our behavioural association to this habit. A bit like burping after downing a bottle of 7UP. Fresh.

It can be a tough journey to take, and many people can't be talked into taking the first steps, but we can be ready for when the final ash has been tapped off and you ask yourself why you're still smoking. 

Here are some tips to help you succeed on your smoke-free journey:

1. Mark a Quit Date: Mark it on your calendar and commit to stopping completely - having a visual reminder of when you made the switch is a great way to see how you're progressing. It's the opposite of having to count down the days to when you're hosting your kid's birthday sleepover.
2. List Your Reasons: Write down the reasons why you want to quit. Keep this list with you as a reminder of your motivation. Bad breath, struggling to climb stairs, cost... note them all. The bigger the list, the better you can justify the commitments.
3. Seek Support: Inform your friends and family that you’re quitting. Having a support system can make a big difference, especially when you're out for a drink. Most pubs let you vape inside, so get permission from staff and laugh when your friends have to stand in the rain to get their nicotine fix.
4. Be Prepared for Withdrawal Symptoms: Understand that withdrawal symptoms are normal. These may include irritability, cravings, and mood changes. Like pregnancy, it'll be tough but you'll be ecstatic with the results!
5. Anticipate a Cough: As your lungs start to heal, you might experience coughing. This is a positive sign of recovery as your lungs clear themselves of a build up of tar after years of abuse.
6. Identify Triggers: Recognise situations or emotions that trigger your smoking habit. Develop strategies to avoid or cope with these triggers. Kids stressing you out? Let their uncles and aunties do the school run. Mwahahaa!
7. Take One Day at a Time: Focus on staying smoke-free each day. Celebrate small victories along the way.
8. Stay Positive: Remind yourself of the benefits of quitting. Your health will improve, and your loved ones will benefit too. In as little as a week, you could notice big differences in how much better your meals taste, and you aren't breathless during short walks or bed-time, if you know what I mean. Do it for your partners.

Remember, quitting smoking is a journey, and it’s okay if you face challenges. Be patient with yourself and never give up. You've got this! 🚭

If you’d like more information, you can explore resources from the NHS, and Patient.info.¹²³

^{Thank you for reading through this Post. We invite you to leave some comments about your journey, what you found helpful and where you struggled. Together. we can make the UK go smoke-free.}