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Why quit now?
I can stop whenever I want.
The longer a person continues to smoke or use tobacco, the harder it is for this statement to be true. Nicotine is one of the most addictive drugs around; it is more habit forming than heroin! Stopping now, therefore, would be much easier, and much smarter, than quitting later. Besides, the longer you smoke, the more damage you continue to do to your skin, lungs, and mouth.
What else can I do
when I'm bored?
A lot of people find themselves smoking more when they have more free time. Try to come up with a list of things you like to do when you have some downtime, such as reading a book, checking up on your emails, or calling a friend. You also might consider doing something that will make you feel good, such as having a healthy snack, running around the block, or doing some sit-ups. It's great that you recognize that you use cigarettes to take away your boredom. Now, you just have to fill that time with something else.
What difference does it make? I'm only hurting myself.
This isn't always true. Second-hand smoke can do a great deal of
damage to your family, friends, and even your pets. Of course, if
you're by yourself when you smoke, you're right; you ARE hurting
yourself. You are causing your skin to dry out, sag, and get wrinkly
and gray. You're making your lungs weaker and fill up with tar and
other chemicals. You're also making your breath stink. It IS your
decision, but, remember, it DOES make a difference.
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How do I cope without my cigarettes?
Did you know that even though smoking might make you feel less upset
when you first light up, it actually increases your overall stress
levels? Learning to cope with sadness, stress, anger, and frustration
isn't always easy. Remember, when you feel like you need a cigarette
to make yourself feel better, there are much healthier ways to do
that. Here are some examples:
- Keep a journal - writing down upsetting situations can often help people deal with them.
- Exercise - go for a run, hit a punching bag, climb a mountain;
physical exertion often gets our adrenaline pumping and helps
us put negative feelings into perspective.
- Talk to someone - after all, that's what friends and family are for.
If you are sad or angry and cannot seem to find a way to make yourself feel better, there are places where you can get help. National Youth Crisis Hotlines are available 24 hours a day; phone 1-800-442-4673 or 1-800-448-4663.
Don't most people smoke anyway?
Most people DON'T smoke. In fact, only 24 percent of the American population smokes cigarettes. Ever since we began to learn what kind of damage smoking could do to a person's health, people have been quitting more and more each year. Over the past 30 years, the overall rates of smoking have decreased from 41.9 percent in 1965 to the current rate of 24 percent.
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What else will help me relax?
You might try listening to your favorite music, taking a warm bath, or making some hot chocolate for yourself. Other ways to relax include taking a nap, taking deep breaths, and counting down slowly from 100. Going for a walk is a great way to both relax and get some exercise. Also, if you have any pets, having a good cuddle session with your dog or cat can significantly reduce stress and lower your blood pressure!
Won't I gain too much weight?
Not everyone who quits smoking gains weight, although it IS true
that your appetite may increase as you cut nicotine out of your
life. Food will begin to taste a lot better as well. One good way
to keep your weight down is to replace cigarettes with food–good
food, that is. Keep apples, carrot sticks, or pretzels nearby. The
next time you feel like smoking, have a healthy snack instead. Also,
try to drink LOTS of water, which will help to reduce your hunger
and keep you healthy.
Why should I worry
since I'm too young to get sick?
No one with lung cancer or emphysema ever thought they would get
sick when they first picked up smoking, but, eventually, those cigarettes
catch up with you. The younger you were when you started smoking,
the higher the likelihood that you will become addicted and that
you will die of a smoking-related illness. Besides, there are many
results of smoking that are happening to you right now - you have
trouble breathing, your breath stinks, and your skin is drying out.
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Why is it so hard
to quit?
It IS hard to quit. Smoking is very addictive - that's why you still do it. The important thing is having a plan of action: pick a quit date. Tell as many people as you can that you are quitting. Plan what you're going to do when you crave a cigarette because of stress, boredom, or hunger. If you have the tools in place and people around to support you, it will be much easier. Remember, although withdrawal symptoms, such as sleeplessness and anxiety, can be difficult to deal with, they only last a few days. You will be amazed at how much better you will feel in just a week.
What if I tried
to quit already, and it didn't work?
You are not alone. In fact, most peoples' first, and sometimes second
or third, tries at quitting don't work out. What's important is
that you not beat yourself up if you slip. Get right back on the
smoke-free wagon and try again. Learn from your past mistakes: What
was it about the last attempt that worked against you? If you can
avoid situations that made you start again the last time, chances
are you'll do better this time around. For more help, check out
Quit Tools.
What do I do if my family smokes?
This is a tough situation. Try talking to them about how difficult
it is for you to be around them. Remind your family of the damage
second-hand smoke can do to you. Share resources with your family
so that they have what they need to stop. Support them as best you
can. If you are trying to quit in a house full of smokers, you might
try taking a team-quit approach. Convince your family of why it's
important for YOU to quit and then help them see how much easier
it will be for you—and how much better they will feel if they
stop when you do. For more information on how to help a parent or
guardian quit smoking, have them check out Why
I should stop smoking. You can also contact the American Cancer
Society at 1-800-227-2345.
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What if my friends
give me a hard time?
I know you've heard this before: if your friends would dump you
just because you quit smoking, they must not be very good friends.
Chances are, your friends won't tell you to get lost when you try
to quit, but they may make it harder for you if they continue to
smoke themselves. Therefore, tell as many people as you can that
you are quitting. Ask them not to smoke in front of you. Avoid situations
where you know lots of people may be smoking. Who knows, you might
convince some of your friends to quit with you. This can really
increase the chances that you will be successful because you can
work WITH your friends to stay smoke-free.
Isn't it true that
a couple of cigarettes a day won't hurt me?
Most people who smoke two packs a day started off saying exactly
the same thing. You will find, if you continue smoking at all, that
you'll begin wanting to smoke more and more. That is what addiction
does. So, nip that nicotine addiction in the bud before it gets
harder. Believe me, the longer you wait, the harder it will be to
stop, and the more damage you will have done to yourself. If that
doesn't help, remember this: even if you smoke only two cigarettes
a day, you are smoking more than 700 cigarettes a year. If you think
that won't hurt you, think again.
Isn't just switching to light cigarettes or cigars a good idea?
Did you know that people who smoke light cigarettes inhale harder, smoke their cigarettes faster, and tend to smoke more of them a day? This completely offsets any effects switching to light might have. If, instead, you choose cigars, remember that even if you don't inhale, cigar smokers have a significantly greater chance of getting lip, mouth, and tongue cancer than people who don't use tobacco at all.
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