How to Stop Smoking

Mayo Clinic Nicotine Research Center
Treatment at no cost for young adults age 18-24 who wish to stop smoking.

Information for Teens
Click here for Web Site Addresses of known Teen Smoking Cessation-oriented websites

Why Should You Quit?
There are many benefits to becoming smoke-free, some of which you might already know. Here are 6 reasons you should quit.

1.
 Quitting smoking will improve your health and decrease your chances of getting tobacco-related illnesses.
2.
 Quitting smoking will help you provide a healthier environment for your loved ones (i.e. spouse, children, grandchildren, friends and even your pets).
3.
Quitting smoking will give you more spending money because not smoking that one pack a day will increase your monthly budget about $100
4.
 Quitting smoking will allow you to break a very strong addiction to the drug nicotine.
5.
 Quitting smoking will allow you to breathe easier. Once you quit your lungs begin cleaning themselves. You may notice that it is easier to walk to your car or climb stairs
6.
 Quitting smoking will make your clothes, house, car and breath smell better.

You can quit smoking

Don't Cry What You Already Know

  As he sat on a bench scared, lonely, and confused.
  He had just been given the most terrible of news.
  The tests on the lump in his throat, had showed what he had feared the most.
  Yes, it was cancer caused by the smokes.
  They said he wouldn't be here a year from now, not one doctor but two, both with the same views.
  But how could this be, he was too young.
  This happens to the old not the young.
  As the days went by it was sad to see, that with this disease, you're never too young, old, rich or poor.
  To be given the news your time here is not much more.
  So when you're young and shy, not knowing all the "why's."
  Know this to be true, smoking can kill you.
  So the next time you open a pack, look on the side and read the dangers with your very eyes.
  Then blame no one please, because you know the reasons why.

4-24-01 Michael D. Bowden

Quitting: It's a Process

If you have tried to quit smoking before, or know someone who has, you may have noticed that a lot of the self-help resources are geared toward people who are ready to stop smoking.

Preparing to quit and finally quitting takes time and planning. Below are some of the stages that people who are trying to quit smoking go through. Use this list as a guide to see where you are in this process. You may go through all of the stages or only a few. You may notice that you go through some more than once. Check off which ones apply to you.

You are a person who smokes and is concerned about your health.
You have decided that you will gather information about quitting.
You have decided to take some steps to reduce your smoking risk such as cutting back, changing brands, exercising.
You decide you will definitely quit but you are not ready to set a date.
You set a quit date and commit to quit on that date.
You smoke your last cigarette and go 24 hours without lighting up.
You complete your first week as a nonsmoker.
You complete your first month as a nonsmoker.
You complete three months smoke-free.
You are smoke-free for one year.

Why Do You Smoke?

A quiz to evaluate factors that cause you to smoke.
What kind of smoker are you? What do you get out of smoking? What does it do for you? The smoking triggers quiz will help you identify why you smoke and what kind of satisfaction you get from smoking. Please pick one button for each statement. Upon completion, please hit the submit button for scoring

Always Frequently
Occasion-ally
 Seldom
A. I smoke to keep myself from slowing down.
B Handling a cigarette is part of the enjoyment of smoking it.
C Smoking is pleasant and relaxing.
D I light up when I feel angry.
E When I run out of cigarettes, I find it almost unbearable.
F I smoke automatically without being aware of it.
G I smoke to stimulate or perk myself up
H Part of the enjoyment of smoking comes from the steps I take to light up.
I I find smoking pleasurable.
J I light up when I feel uncomfortable or upset
K I am very much aware of when I am not smoking.
L I light up without realizing I still have one burning in the ashtray.
M I smoke to give me a "lift."
N When I smoke, part of the enjoyment is watching the smoke as I exhale it.
O  I want to smoke when I am comfortable and relaxed.
P When I feel "blue" or want to take my mind off cares and worries, I smoke.
Q I get a real gnawing hunger for a cigarette when I haven’t smoked for a while.
R I’ve found a cigarette in my mouth and didn’t remember putting it there.


This will give you important information about why you smoke.