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How_to_stop_smoking
How To Stop <script type="text/javascript">
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Perhaps you are having trouble breathing. Or, perhaps there will be a newborn baby arriving in a few months’ time. Or, you don’t want to end up like all of the other poor sods who died preventable deaths because they smoked. Whatever your reason, you have no more excuses. This time, you have to quit for good. Here are a few tips on how to stop and stay stopped.
Be At Home When The First Withdrawal Symptoms Hit
At home, you can climb into bed and moan, which you really can’t do at work. If you’ve been more than a few months, you know when your body starts going into withdrawal symptoms. Sometimes these symptoms might make driving or operating heavy machinery or making any major life decisions impossible. You need to be safely at home when they hit. Getting through the withdrawal symptoms is how to stop for good.
Avoid Places Where You Used To Smoke
If you constantly hang about people who are and going to places where you normally light up when you are trying to quit smoking, guess what? You’ll go back to smoking. Watching and sniffing others is not how to stop smoking. That’s like watching children eat Halloween candy when you are on a diet. Why put yourself through this agony? If you have to drop friends for a while, drop them. Your life is at stake here!
Keep
Electronic Cigarettes as Quit Aids?
<p><a href="http://quitsmoking.about.com/od/smokingalternatives/f/electroniccigarettes.htm"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/quitsmoking/1/0/F/G/electronic_cigarette.jpg" border="0" alt="" hspace="5" width="170" height="123" align="right" /></a><strong>A reader asks:</strong></p>
<p><em>I've heard a lot about the electronic cigarette lately...that it's a healthier choice than smoking and that it can even be used as a quit smoking aid. Can you tell me how the electronic cigarette works and whether I should use it to help me quit smoking?</em></p>
<p><strong>More Reading:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/od/glossaryofterms/g/smokealternative.htm">Smoking Alternatives</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/od/smokingalternatives/g/vaper.htm">What is a Vaper?</a></li>
</ul>
<p><sub><em>Photo © iStockPhoto</em></sub></p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/03/18/electronic-cigarettes-as-quit-aids.htm">Electronic Cigarettes as Quit Aids?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/">About.com Smoking Cessation</a> on Thursday, March 18th, 2010 at 05:01:19.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/03/18/electronic-cigarettes-as-quit-aids.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/03/18/electronic-cigarettes-as-quit-aids.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://quitsmoking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/03/18/electronic-cigarettes-as-quit-aids.htm&zItl=Electronic Cigarettes as Quit Aids?">Email this</a></p>
Quit Smoking Monday Messages
<p><strong>I Want a Cigarette!</strong></p>
<p>Early cessation is a challenge for almost every ex-smoker. While nicotine withdrawal is a short phase of recovery from nicotine addiction, it can be intense, and the days and weeks beyond it uncomfortable as well as we work to reprogram old associations we have with smoking.</p>
<p>Abby, a member of the About.com <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?nav=messages&webtag=ab-quitsmoking">Smoking Cessation support forum</a> recently lamented the fact that she no longer smoked, saying:</p>
<p><em>"I can't take one more second of this discomfort! Listen to me putting it nicely. Discomfort, HA...more like extreme agony and that's still putting it lightly. There are a million and one things I could be doing instead of smoking and I'm being a spoiled brat and just fixating on 'I want a cigarette and I can't have one. I want to be a happy smoke free person but it just seems so out of my reach right now." </em></p>
<p>In response to her cry for help, forum moderator <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/od/forumphotogallery/ig/Smoking-Cessation-Forum-Mods/Susie.htm">Susie</a> gave her advice that is worth its weight in gold:</p>
<p>"Abby: Let me share with you something that helped me and my husband and many others here on the forum.</p>
<p>"You say in your post that you want a cigarette. Well, the truth is you're going to want a cigarette when you're smoking, and you're going to want one when you choose to no longer smoke.</p>
<p>"When you're a smoker, you think about smoking as much <em><strong>or more</strong></em> as when you quit. You think about when to have the next one, where to have the next one, do you have enough money to buy the next one, should you smoke one more before the break is over, do you really want to go to that wedding, basketball game, movie or whatever if you can't smoke.</p>
<p>"When you're a smoker, your body will begin to "need" another cigarette within 10 to 20 minutes of finishing the last one, and you probably start thinking about the next one within about a minute after you finished the last one. This is never, never, never ending as long as you continue to smoke.</p>
<p>"So, now that you don't smoke and you're early in the quit you may be thinking about smoking as much as you did as a smoker. The VERY BIG difference is that with each cigarette you <em>don't</em> smoke, you are reducing the need and desire to smoke another one. And the great news is that eventually you will have no need or desire to smoke, period.</p>
<p>"What you're feeling and thinking is just so, so normal at this point in your quit. It's also really important for you to lose this thought that you "can't" smoke. Unless someone has you in chains, you're perfectly free to smoke; you're just choosing not to.</p>
<p>"The more you think about "can't smoke" instead of "choose not to smoke", the harder it is. You think that you're being denied something when you're not. It's also a good thing to try not to think about "forever" just now. That's why you see so much discussion at the forum about taking it one day at a time. It's just too darn overwhelming to think about never smoking again. This, too, will come with time and patience."</p>
<p>This forum exchange is a beautiful example of how good support can help us adjust an unhealthy mindset. If you're quitting tobacco, do yourself the favor of adding support to your quit program. It will help you bring the lasting freedom from nicotine addiction you're looking for into your life, as it has for so many others.</p>
<p><em>*********</em></p>
<p><em><strong><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?nav=messages&webtag=ab-quitsmoking&tid=87269">Take The Quit Smoking Monday Pledge</a></strong></em></p>
<p><em><a href="http://quitsmoking.about.com/od/chooseyourquitdate/a/healthymonday.htm"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/quitsmoking/1/0/b/B/healthymonday.gif" border="0" alt="" hspace="5" width="160" height="97" align="right" /></a></em></p>
<p><em><strong><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/od/chooseyourquitdate/a/healthymonday.htm">Healthy Monday</a></strong> encourages us to think of <em>every </em>Monday as a day that we can begin work anew on goals that we have for ourselves. If you're still smoking, put your cigarettes down and get started on your quit program today.</em></p>
<ul>
<li><em><strong><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/od/tipsforquitting/a/HM.htm">Quit Smoking Monday Messages Archive</a></strong></em></li>
</ul>
<p><em>We all have the ability to quit smoking successfully, and we all deserve a life that is free of addiction. Honor <em>your</em> life by choosing Monday as the day to start and reinforce your quit program.</em></p>
<p><em><strong><em>You can quit smoking</em></strong> ... and we're here to help you, one simple Monday at a time.</em></p>
<p><em><sub><em>Image © healthymonday.org</em></sub></em></p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/03/15/quit-smoking-monday-messages-73.htm">Quit Smoking Monday Messages</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/">About.com Smoking Cessation</a> on Monday, March 15th, 2010 at 06:02:33.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/03/15/quit-smoking-monday-messages-73.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/03/15/quit-smoking-monday-messages-73.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://quitsmoking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/03/15/quit-smoking-monday-messages-73.htm&zItl=Quit Smoking Monday Messages">Email this</a></p>
Don't Settle for Less in Your Life
<h3>Nicotine addiction taught me a lot of things...none of them good.</h3>
<p><a href="http://quitsmoking.about.com/od/whyquitsmoking/a/dontsettle.htm"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/quitsmoking/1/0/E/8/scales.jpg" border="0" alt="" hspace="5" width="170" height="136" align="right" /></a>Smoking changes us, and those changes happen gradually, over a long period of time. In fact, the personality shifts we experience due to nicotine addiction are so subtle; most of us don't realize our cigarettes are responsible for them.</p>
<p><strong>Related:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/od/whyquitsmoking/a/ReasonstoQuit.htm">I Quit Smoking Because...</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/cs/nicotinelozenges/a/zoeslist.htm">The Pros and Cons of Smoking</a></li>
</ul><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/03/14/dont-settle-for-less-in-your-life-3.htm">Don't Settle for Less in Your Life</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/">About.com Smoking Cessation</a> on Sunday, March 14th, 2010 at 11:29:05.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/03/14/dont-settle-for-less-in-your-life-3.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/03/14/dont-settle-for-less-in-your-life-3.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://quitsmoking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/03/14/dont-settle-for-less-in-your-life-3.htm&zItl=Don't Settle for Less in Your Life">Email this</a></p>
In the News: Nicotine and Brain Chemistry
<p><img src="http://z.about.com/d/quitsmoking/1/0/H/4/smoke.jpg" alt="" hspace="5" width="113" height="170" align="right" /></p>
<p>It has long been thought that inhaled nicotine was rapidly absorbed through the bloodstream, affecting the brain within 7 to 10 seconds. However, new research presented by Dr. Jed E. Rose of Duke University in the March 8th online edition of <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2010/02/22/0909184107">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a> indicates that nicotine may in fact be much slower to accumulate in the brain, taking minutes instead of seconds.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jROEOkSdSJHlB_XvG0xpeJuuZdDwD9EAM2P81">Puff, Puff, Puff, Nicotine Rises Gradually</a> -- Associated Press</strong></p>
<p><strong>More Reading:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/od/nicotine/p/nicotineprofile.htm">A Profile of Nicotine</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/od/preparetoquit/a/mythsvsfacts.htm">Recovery from Nicotine Addiction: Myths vs. Facts</a></li>
</ul>
<p><sub><em>Photo © Stockxpert</em></sub></p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/03/13/in-the-news-nicotine-and-brain-chemistry.htm">In the News: Nicotine and Brain Chemistry</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/">About.com Smoking Cessation</a> on Saturday, March 13th, 2010 at 10:22:35.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/03/13/in-the-news-nicotine-and-brain-chemistry.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/03/13/in-the-news-nicotine-and-brain-chemistry.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://quitsmoking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/03/13/in-the-news-nicotine-and-brain-chemistry.htm&zItl=In the News: Nicotine and Brain Chemistry">Email this</a></p>
Patience With the Process
<p> It's a common mistake many of us make: we look at quitting tobacco as an event - a task that is over and done with within a week or two. That's not how it works though.<br /><br /><b><i>Recovery from nicotine addiction is a process, not an event.</i></b><br /><br /> Understanding what to expect as you move through nicotine withdrawal and the weeks and months beyond will prepare you for success.<br /><br /><img src="http://z.about.com/d/quitsmoking/1/0/l/1/Patty_Gray.jpg" hspace="5" align="right" width="170" height="113"><i><b><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/od/tipsforquitting/a/patience.htm">Patience With the Process </a></b></i> comes to us from Michelle Boisvert, About.com <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?nav=start&lgnF=y&webtag=ab-quitsmoking">Smoking Cessation Support Forum</a> moderator:</p>
<ul>"It is said that patience is a virtue, but in breaking the chains of nicotine addiction, I think patience is absolutely vital. I have learned quite a few lessons in the last 3 years, and one of the most valuable to me has been to grant myself some patience."</ul>
<p><b>More Reading:</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/cs/cravingsandurges/a/withdrawal.htm">Managing Nicotine Withdrawal</a></ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/od/support/a/nosubfortime.htm">There is No Substitute for Time</a></ul>
<p><i>Photo by Patty Gray</i></p>
<p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/03/10/patience-with-the-process.htm">Patience With the Process</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/">About.com Smoking Cessation</a> on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 at 06:22:57.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/03/10/patience-with-the-process.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/03/10/patience-with-the-process.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://quitsmoking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/03/10/patience-with-the-process.htm&zItl=Patience With the Process">Email this</a></p>
Quit Smoking Monday Messages
<p><b>Milestones on the Road to Recovery</b></p>
<p><img src="http://z.about.com/d/quitsmoking/1/0/E/G/bogsuccess.jpg" hspace="5" align="right" width="200" height="150" border="0">Over the years, smoking becomes thoroughly entwined in our activities and emotions, enslaving us in an addiction we didn't sign onto when we lit that first cigarette years ago.</p>
<p>When we quit smoking, the transformation usually surprises us, bringing benefits we never imagined and strength we didn't think we had.</p>
<p>The following accounts are beautiful examples of the pearls of wisdom and insight we gain on the road to recovery. Grab some inspiration by reading the submissions offered below.</p>
<p><b><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/u/sty/forumgems/milestones/A-Thoughtful-Year---One-Year-Smoke-Free.htm">A Thoughtful Year</a><br />Beth's Story</b></p>
<p><b><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/u/sty/forumgems/milestones/One-Year-of-Freedom.htm">One Year of Freedom</a><br />Paige's Story</b></p>
<p><b><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/u/sty/forumgems/milestones/18-Months-Smoke-Free.htm">18 Months Smoke-Free</a><br />Vicky's Story</b></p>
<p><b><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/u/sty/forumgems/milestones/Hope-Heals---8-Years-Smoke-Free.htm">Hope Heals - 8 Years Smoke-Free</a><br />Michelle's Story</b></p>
<p><b><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/u/sty/forumgems/milestones/6-Months-Smoke-Free.htm">6 Months Later</a><br />Todd's Story</b></p>
<p><b><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/u/sty/forumgems/milestones/Choosing-the-Gift-of-Freedom.htm">Choosing the Gift of Freedom</a><br />Dee's Story</b></p>
<p><b><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/u/sty/forumgems/milestones/If-I-Can-Quit-Smoking-Anyone-Can.htm">If I Can Quit Smoking, Anyone Can</a><br />Regina's Story</b></p>
<p><b><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/u/sty/forumgems/milestones/Thankful-for-Three-Years-Smoke-Free.htm">Thankful for Three Years Smoke-Free</a><br />Bonnie's Story</b></p>
<p>There is no time like the present to make the changes you dream of a reality in your life. Don't give another day of your precious life over to smoking -- quit now.</p>
<p><p>*********</p>
<p><b><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?nav=messages&webtag=ab-quitsmoking&tid=87104">Take The Quit Smoking Monday Pledge</a></b></p>
<p><a href="http://quitsmoking.about.com/od/chooseyourquitdate/a/healthymonday.htm"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/quitsmoking/1/0/b/B/healthymonday.gif" hspace="5" align="right" width="160" height="97" border="0"></a></p>
<p><b><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/od/chooseyourquitdate/a/healthymonday.htm">Healthy Monday</a></b> encourages us to think of <em>every </em>Monday as a day that we can begin work anew on goals that we have for ourselves. If you're still smoking, put your cigarettes down and get started on your quit program today.</p>
<ul>
<li><b><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/od/tipsforquitting/a/HM.htm">Quit Smoking Monday Messages Archive</a></b></ul>
<p>We all have the ability to quit smoking successfully, and we all deserve a life that is free of addiction. Honor <em>your</em> life by choosing Monday as the day to start and reinforce your quit program.</p>
<p><b><i>You can quit smoking</i></b> ... and we're here to help you, one simple Monday at a time.</p>
<p><sub><i>Image © healthymonday.org</i></sub></p>
<p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/03/08/quit-smoking-monday-messages-72.htm">Quit Smoking Monday Messages</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/">About.com Smoking Cessation</a> on Monday, March 8th, 2010 at 06:11:57.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/03/08/quit-smoking-monday-messages-72.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/03/08/quit-smoking-monday-messages-72.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://quitsmoking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/03/08/quit-smoking-monday-messages-72.htm&zItl=Quit Smoking Monday Messages">Email this</a></p>
Quitting vs. Learning to be an Ex - Forum Discussion
<p><a href="http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&nav=messages&webtag=ab-quitsmoking&tid=86192"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/quitsmoking/1/0/e/F/Beth2.jpg" hspace="5" align="right" width="148" height="200" border="0"></a><b>From Beth (Nyniane)</b>: "It has been THREE YEARS since I stopped smoking. WhoooHoooo! Back then I didn't think I'd be sitting here typing that today; heck, back then I was too scared to even think of 3 months down the line, let alone 3 years. But even so, from the very start this quit felt different from the zillion and seventeen times I'd "tried" to quit before then.</p>
<p>"Instead of obsessing over quitting, I focused on learning to be an EX..."</p>
<ul>
<li><b><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&nav=messages&webtag=ab-quitsmoking&tid=86192">Quitting vs. Learning to be an EX</a></b> - Join the Discussion</ul>
<p> We all have the ability to quit smoking permanently, and the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?nav=messages&webtag=ab-quitsmoking&lgnF=y">Smoking Cessation Support Forum</a> here at About.com will give you the support and information you need to make this important improvement in your own life.</p>
<p>Believe in yourself and be willing to do the work it takes to achieve your goals, and you can move mountains. You can do it, just as Beth is doing it!</p>
<p><b>More Discussions:</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&nav=messages&webtag=ab-quitsmoking&tid=87047">Day Two</a></ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&nav=messages&webtag=ab-quitsmoking&tid=86770">One Year Smoke-Free<a/></ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&nav=messages&webtag=ab-quitsmoking&tid=86843">Welcome March 2010 Quitters!</a></ul>
<p><sub><i>Photo © Beth</i></sub></p>
<p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/03/07/quitting-vs-learning-to-be-an-ex-forum-discussion.htm">Quitting vs. Learning to be an Ex - Forum Discussion</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/">About.com Smoking Cessation</a> on Sunday, March 7th, 2010 at 10:50:50.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/03/07/quitting-vs-learning-to-be-an-ex-forum-discussion.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/03/07/quitting-vs-learning-to-be-an-ex-forum-discussion.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://quitsmoking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/03/07/quitting-vs-learning-to-be-an-ex-forum-discussion.htm&zItl=Quitting vs. Learning to be an Ex - Forum Discussion">Email this</a></p>
How Smoking Harms Us: From Head to Toe
<p><a href="http://quitsmoking.about.com/od/tobaccorelateddiseases/a/smokingrisks.htm"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/quitsmoking/1/0/a/9/graveyard.jpg" hspace="5" align="right" width="170" height="128" border="0"></a>Tobacco use plays a role in a multitude of diseases that ultimately lead to disability and/or death. Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemical compounds; 200 of which are known to be poisonous, and upwards of 60 have been identified as carcinogens. Viewed in that light, it's no wonder that the effects of smoking are so widespread and destructive.</p>
<p>Let's take a look at how cigarette smoke affects our bodies, from head to toe. You may be surprised at some of the ways smoking has a negative impact on our health.</p>
<p><b>Smoking-Related Disease: Personal Stories</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/od/quitsmokingstories/a/PaulQuitSmoking.htm">Stroke: Paul's Story</a></ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/cs/ourstories/a/cheryl.htm">Lung Cancer: Cheryl's Story</a></ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/cs/nicotinepatch/a/chrisemphysema.htm">Emphysema: Christine's Story</a></ul>
<p><sub><i>Image: © Stockxpert</i></sub></p>
<p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/03/03/how-smoking-harms-us-from-head-to-toe-6.htm">How Smoking Harms Us: From Head to Toe</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/">About.com Smoking Cessation</a> on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 at 06:22:41.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/03/03/how-smoking-harms-us-from-head-to-toe-6.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/03/03/how-smoking-harms-us-from-head-to-toe-6.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://quitsmoking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/03/03/how-smoking-harms-us-from-head-to-toe-6.htm&zItl=How Smoking Harms Us: From Head to Toe">Email this</a></p>
Quit Smoking Cartoon Gallery
<p><a href="http://quitsmoking.about.com/od/forumgems/ig/Smoking-Cessation-Cartoons/index.htm"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/quitsmoking/1/0/u/3/toon1blog.jpg" hspace="5" align="left" width="170" height="136" border="0"></a>These cartoons were created for the About.com Smoking Cessation site by David Stuart, a professional cartoonist in Australia. David, otherwise known as <em>Romada</em> to <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?nav=start&lgnF=y&webtag=ab-quitsmoking">Smoking Cessation Forum</a> members, helps us smile about the issues we face when quitting. His wit and artistic skill are a gift that he graciously shares with us here.</p>
<p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/02/27/quit-smoking-cartoon-gallery-2.htm">Quit Smoking Cartoon Gallery</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/">About.com Smoking Cessation</a> on Saturday, February 27th, 2010 at 19:10:01.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/02/27/quit-smoking-cartoon-gallery-2.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/02/27/quit-smoking-cartoon-gallery-2.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://quitsmoking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/02/27/quit-smoking-cartoon-gallery-2.htm&zItl=Quit Smoking Cartoon Gallery">Email this</a></p>
Tobacco in the News
<p><b><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61P53N20100226">"Big Tobacco" Still on the March, WHO Warns</a></b><br />GENEVA (Reuters) - Governments must do more to protect workers in bars, restaurants and the entertainment sector from harmful smoke, and curb tobacco advertising and sponsorship, the World Health Organization said on Friday.</p>
<p><b><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1967782,00.html?xid=rss-topstories">Anti-Smoking Ads Shock France Over Oral Sex Reference</a></b><br />Time.com - The French aren't exactly squeamish when it comes to sex. Nor do they typically bat an eye when it comes to racy content in advertising. Now, however, a controversy has erupted over an ad that some feel has gone a step too far: it doesn't just evoke oral sex but actually seems to depict it.</p>
<p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/02/27/tobacco-in-the-news-42.htm">Tobacco in the News</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/">About.com Smoking Cessation</a> on Saturday, February 27th, 2010 at 18:55:39.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/02/27/tobacco-in-the-news-42.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/02/27/tobacco-in-the-news-42.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://quitsmoking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://quitsmoking.about.com/b/2010/02/27/tobacco-in-the-news-42.htm&zItl=Tobacco in the News">Email this</a></p>
Yourself Distracted
Another method to help how to stop is to take up or more strongly pursue a hobby that involves keeping your hands or body busy. This could be needlework, crafts, gardening, playing with the dig, writing, painting, destroying the paintings and starting again, or anything that keeps you busy. The point of all this is to keep your mind off the nicotine cravings. They will eventually go away if you are distracted from them enough.
Don’t Light Up Again!
The advice anyone will ever give you on how to stop is also the most infuriating – “You stop by just not anymore!” It’s as simple and yet as hard as that. Keep reminding yourself that will kill you. You are saving your own life. It’s like getting surgery – after the surgery, you are in a lot of pain, but eventually you heal and have a healthier, happier life. There are how to stop support groups on the Internet you can join for some mutual support.
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