SELECT A QUIT DATE
and commit to quit on that date. It could be your birthday, anniversary, your child’s birthday or after an illness or injury.
DEVELOP YOUR QUITTING PLAN
Give yourself time to prepare and plan. Pick a day when your stress level is likely to be low. Stop buying cartons of cigarettes and instead buy one pack at a time.
THINK ABOUT YOUR REASONS FOR QUITTING
Make a list about all of the ways that quitting smoking will improve your life and your health. Keep it with you as a reminder.
TELL YOUR LOVED ONES THAT YOU ARE QUITTING
Think about who to reach out to when you need help and support. A supportive spouse and/or friends may increase your chances of quitting smoking.
PAY ATTENTION TO WHEN AND WHY YOU SMOKE
Think of all the triggers that cause you to smoke. Start monitoring your day. Ask yourself : why am I smoking this cigarette? If I decided not smoke this cigarette, what would I do instead? Making a plan of what you will do in certain situations is very important.
BE CONFIDENT THAT YOU WILL SUCCEED
The “Power of Positive Thinking” is your key to success. Aside from being highly motivated to quit, smokers that have a high degree of confidence that they will succeed in quitting are better prepared to make the changes necessary to meet their goals.
GET RID OF THE REMINDERS OF SMOKING
Throw away all cigarettes, matches, lighters and ashtrays. Remove these items from your home, car and work.