The New York Post claims that only one in five Americans are now smokers, which is down from one in four about 10 years ago. A study of the tobacco industry predicts that cigarette smokers may not even exist in as little as 30 to 50 years. Why is everyone so hyped up over this? After all, 50 years is a long time. A 30 to 50 year time frame starts to sound more than reasonable when you consider how hard it is to quit smoking. The Centers for Disease Control stands firm that smoking is still one of the leading causes of preventable death. Smoking, undoubtedly, poses huge health risks and it’s not surprising that many smokers are in the midst of trying to quit.
I find it hard to believe that everyone will stop smoking for the rest of eternity, but there’s a lot you can do to ensure you successfully stake your claim on a smoke-free life. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Find a smoking cessation program that works for you. Do some extensive research to explore all the different options out there. Consult with your doctor in regards to the myriad of options. What works for one person won’t necessarily work for the next. Nicotine patches, gum, e-cigarettes and medications all have side effects. The best programs will include more than one way for you to break the habit. I highly discourage you from trying anything that is illegal in your state or unapproved by the FDA.
- As with weight loss, you may find it easier to quit smoking if you enlist a buddy who you can go to for support.
- Identify why you smoke. If it’s used as a stress reliever then be sure to introduce new, more appropriate means of relaxation into your life. Meditation, hobbies, exercise and a hot bath are all great ideas.
- Be patient with yourself. Breaking a bad habit is hard and smoking has been proven to be one of the most difficult. If you fail, try again. Don’t stop trying until you succeed!
Do you think it’s realistic to think that the world could be free of smokers within half a century? Are you an ex-smoker? How did you manage to kick the habit?
Also Read:
Simple Steps to Make Habit Changes Easier
How Smoking Affects Your Workout
Smoking and Obesity are Equally Fatal