Question: I’ve been a smoker for many years and I know I should quit. In fact, I’ve tried to stop hundreds, perhaps thousands of times. I know it’s affecting my health and shortening my life but I just can’t seem to pull it together to “butt-out” my last butt.
spring 2006 – volume 3, issue 2
Dr. Howard Wu responds:
As you say, you know the impact continued smoking is having and has had on your life. By now, I should think most people, young and old, know the effects of smoking and second-hand smoke. There’s no question it’s a devastating, life-shortening habit. And, there’s no doubt it’s a difficult habit to break. You are not alone in your habit and you are not alone in your wish to quit smoking.
• Smoking kills 45,000 Canadians each year – that’s three times more people than car accidents, suicides, murders and AIDS combined.
• Smoking is the cause of 1/3 of all cancer deaths and at least 85% of lung cancers.
• Smoking is the #1 preventable cause of death in Canada.
At our Smart Quit Clinic we proactively assist clients to succeed in the process of smoking cessation towards a smoke-free life. We are open to the public and our fees are covered through OHIP. Our goal is to be a valuable smoke cessation information source for the community and for doctors who wish to learn more about smoke cessation methods. By working together in the community through counselling, seminars and private visitations to companies or private gatherings, we work to raise awareness of the dangers of smoking and help smokers to quit smoking for life!
8 Tips To Make Quitting Smoking Easier
Make a list: List all the reasons why you want to quit and keep the list close by.
Understand why you smoke: Monitor your smoking for a few days using a simple chart. It’s a quick and easy way to recognize your smoking triggers.
Find healthy substitutes for smoking: Once you figure out why you smoke, you’ll be better able to recognize trigger situations and opt for something other than a cigarette. For example, take a walk, read or change your routine.
Change your environment and routine: Making a few little changes around the house and in your day can make it easier to quit. For example, drink tea instead of coffee or shower before you eat breakfast.
Seek support: By telling others close to you that you are quitting smoking, you not only deepen your commitment: you also give them an opportunity to help you.
Learn from the past: If you’ve tried to quit before and couldn’t, use that experience to make your next attempt a success.
Set a quit date: Any day in the next three weeks will do. Be sure to mark it on your calendar. You’re much more likely to quit on your “quit day” if it’s written down.
Stay motivated with positive rewards:Battle any negative thoughts you have with constructive ideas, like rewarding yourself with “freedom thoughts” such as “I don’t have to carry cigarettes and matches anymore.” Or, “I’m saving so much money by not buying cigarettes.”
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