top of page

11 Tips To Help Finally Reach Your Smoke-Free Goals.

Writer's picture: dragoman7002dragoman7002

I wanted to touch on this topic because it has been a life-long struggle for me to get off the old nicotine. From chewing tobacco, to cigarettes, to deciding to snort snuff because: “It’s what you do when your in West Virginia”. So I was told. It is a journey. A struggle. A dumb habit. I hope this helps a tid-bit. It can be an everyday thing. One step at a time as they say. But, on the flip side, sometimes, we only need a reason. Getting to write and share this really is pushing me along. Good days and bad. Slip ups and small wins. Keep on keepin’ on!


(I just want to start by saying I don’t know this person. It is a stock photo. Just wanted to be clear I’m not putting anyone on the spot. Unless you know this guy. Then I am putting him on the spot. Weird thought)

Quitting smoking is difficult. It is one of those topics that I hate talking about. I always am disappointed in myself, then disappointed that others believe I need to be told about the side effects and why I’m a gross human. My answer for that is: “We all got shit that we are going through. Don’t tell me how to live”.

I get it. Its bad. It’s stopping me from getting what I want. I crave not smoking more now than I do crave smoking. One would think; “What’s the issue then, just stop?” If it was that easy, I wouldn’t be writing this article now would I? And that brings me to my point.

Sometimes, we got to go through some shit, to bring about something that can benefit the people around us. This is my attempt at that. Not that you take this and believe this changed your life and now you are going to quit. Not what I’m trying to convey at all.

My point, after all that rambling nonsense, is that some of this information resonates with you. A small portions sticks as a reference if you ever feel like the time is right. When it is right for you, and not when others tell you its time. They don’t live your life. And if your trying to help a friend, just send them the article, don’t try to summarize it for the person. The message will get jumbled and misinterpreted 90% of the time. (This last part goes out to my dad. “90% of the time” is not a real stat. :)

Some of us have our reasons and it makes it very difficult to justify our reasons when people don’t want to listen to them. Most of the time, I don’t want to share them. None of your business. Because if they were to really listen, it would make them have to get involved in something they might not necessarily want to talk about. All I’m saying is we all got stories. Don’t judge.

But on a real note, I do want to bring up some of those things that smokers hate listening and reading about. I tried to keep it as digestible as possible for everyone. Recapping, unless you were born under a rock, (unless you were born under a rock then I’m sorry for assuming your not informed. Especially during the information age) smoking causes a variety of health issues such as lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and is the number one preventable cause of death and disease in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (COPD).

Despite the known risks of smoking, many people continue to smoke and struggle to quit.

It is a big obstacle for some of us. Myself included. It has haunted me most of my life. I never let it get in the way of my enjoyment for life.

I can remember telling people the thing I liked most about smokers; “Even if you quit being around them. Even if you swear against the one thing that tied all of your conversations together you have had with a person. Even if you hope that you never see them again. Guess what? The minute you come back, they are the first ones with a hug, a handshake, and act like the conversations never ended that we started 6 months ago”.

But with where I’m at in my journey, everyone has to pick a time when they need to quit using bad habits as crutches to navigate situations. Life is not a sprint. Life is also not a spectator sport. It’s hard work, but it is worth while once you find your real reason to quit.

It takes a combination of willpower, encouragement, and methods to get over cravings and withdrawal symptoms in order to stop smoking. You can successfully stop smoking and take advantage of a smoke-free lifestyle by using a well-focused plan-of-action. You’ll find 11 strategies to help quit. (From my experience, it has worked best for me when I try to implement as many of these strategies working together at the same time.)

  1. Make the decision to quit. The first and most important step in quitting smoking is making the decision to do so. This decision should come from a desire to improve your health and well-being, rather than a sense of obligation or pressure from others.

  2. Set a quit date. Once you’ve made the decision to quit, it’s important to set a specific quit date. Choose a date that is not too far in the future, as this will give you time to prepare and build up your motivation.

  3. Get support. Quitting smoking is easier with the support of friends and loved ones. Consider telling them about your decision to quit and ask for their support and encouragement. You may also want to consider joining a support group or seeking help from a healthcare professional.

  4. Identify your triggers. Smoking is often tied to certain triggers, such as stress, boredom, or social situations. Identifying and understanding your triggers can help you avoid them or find healthier ways to cope.

  5. Plan ahead. Make a plan for how you will handle situations where you would normally smoke. For example, if you usually smoke while driving, consider finding an alternative activity, such as listening to music or chewing gum.

  6. Use nicotine replacement therapy. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is a type of medication that can help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings while you quit smoking. NRT is available over the counter in various forms, including gum, patches, and lozenges.

  7. Consider prescription medications. In addition to NRT, there are several prescription medications that can help you quit smoking. These include medications that reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, as well as medications that block the effects of nicotine.

  8. Find healthy ways to cope with stress and other emotions. Smoking is often used as a way to cope with stress and other negative emotions. It’s important to find healthy ways to cope with these emotions, such as exercising, talking to a friend, or practicing relaxation techniques.

  9. Keep track of your progress. Keeping track of your progress can be a powerful motivator as you quit smoking. Consider keeping a journal or using a tracking app to log your progress and any challenges you face.

  10. Reward yourself. Quitting smoking is a big accomplishment and it’s important to reward yourself for your hard work. Consider treating yourself to something special, such as a massage or a new outfit, to celebrate your success.

  11. Stay smoke-free. Quitting smoking is a lifelong process and it’s important to remain smoke-free to maintain the health benefits. If you slip up and have a cigarette, don’t give up. Instead, focus on getting back on track and recommitting to your quit journey.


Giving up smoking can have a big influence on your health and wellbeing. It’s a difficult but ultimately gratifying process. Although giving up may not be simple, the advantages make the effort worthwhile. Not to mention your new found ability to overcome obstacles. To take them on and crush them. Once you can take on that, what else could you possibly do?

(Thanks for reading! I know number 11 is a bit of a stretch as a tip to quit smoking because you didn’t really quit if you are smoking. I could see your side of the argument. But if you would like more detailed information about why it made the list, just ask, and I will share. Smiles all)


1 view0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page