Conquering Smoking

Ideas from Ex-Smokers on How to Kick the Habit

When a craving hits or you want something to put in your mouth:

• Try toothpicks


• Inhale deeply through straws


• Snack on low-calorie foods like celery, carrots, apple slices, or sunflower seeds in the shell


• Keep a bottle of water handy, along with sugarless gum, candy, and popsicles.

When you want to do something with your hands:
Visit a quit-smoking site like Freedom From Smoking, http://www.lungsusa.org/ or http://www.smokefree.gov/

• Pick up a worry stone, paper clip, lucky charm, or coins


• Pet your dog or cat


• Play a musical instrument or a computer game


• Pull weeds, or do an arts & crafts activity

When you're bored or frustrated:

• Reveiw your list of reasons for why you want to quit smoking


• Call a former smoker or a telephone help line like 1-877-44U-QUIT or 1-800-No-Butts


• Write in a journal


• Clean out your closet


• Wash your car


• Plan a vacation with the money you're not spending on cigarettes

Did you know?
US health care costs related to smoking total $75 billion per year, or nearly $4,000 per adult smoker.

Iformation provided by hopehealth.com