If Today Is Your Quit Date...

[Dr_Hurt]

Congratulations on making a big decision that will have a positive impact on your life. Starting today you can begin to enjoy many of the benefits that will come from living a tobacco-free life.

Here are some tips to get you through today and the next several weeks:

1. If you haven't done so already, remove all tobacco, ashtrays, and lighters from your surroundings. Going a step further, you can replace them with something pleasant such as scented candles or potpourri.

2. Keep a handy supply of behavioral substitutes in your reach such as gum, mints, and cinnamon sticks. Fill
your car, workplace, and home with as many "tools" as you can.

3. Talk to your healthcare provider about what medication is best for you.

4.Take advantage of "free and accessible" coping skills. Deep breathing is something you can do anywhere at
anytime! Another valuable skill is to utilize positive self-affirmations. Remind yourself of the reasons you wanted to
become tobacco free. Anytime you have a negative thought, make a conscious effort to turn that thought into
something more positive.

5. Lean on your support people. Let them know the best ways that they can assist you today and during the next
several weeks.

6. Keep up the good work!

Be sure to also check out www.BecomeAnEX.org and the 3-Step EX plan to help you reach your goal of living cigarette-free.


Dr. Richard D. Hurt is an internationally recognized expert on tobacco dependence. A native of Murray, Kentucky, he joined Mayo Clinic in 1976 and is now a Professor of Medicine at its College of Medicine. In 1988, he founded the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center and since then its staff has treated over 33,000 patients for tobacco dependence. Send your questions directly to Dr. Hurt at AskTheExpert@becomeanex.org

[maria12]

It has been some time since I first visited here and 63 days of staying away from smoking. I am very glad I came here to check things out.l..This place is quite helpful. 😉




Spicecomments.com - Flowers Comments

[edith2]

Procrastinate! If you feel like lighting up, put it off! Wait 5 minutes, and if the craving is still there, repeat.

[lorilynn]

thank you Dr. hurt, i think it is awesome for you to make mention for anyone on their first day and i have the privilege of being one of them on the day you bought it to attention. viola!!!! my affirmation is going to be i DO NOT WANT SMOKER LINES ON MY TOP LIP. NADDA!!!!!

[mysteriousstran]

nice. I don't want those eiter. lol

[emily-faircloth]

today is my first day.

[nancy-paddock]

I quit in 1978, relapsed in 1999 and have been trying to quit since; I keep relapsing. I want to quit, and I want to smoke. Mostly I want to quit. I know it's an addiction but few people believe that so aren't supportive and are shaming and blaming. I keep putting it off and don't believe myself anymore. What should I do? When I was younger I cared more, now I don't seem to care, yet I know I don't want to be unhealthy or socially unacceptable as a smoker. It also smells bad, is a bad habit, is expensive, and most people don't smoke.

[heidi6]

I am trying to quit smoking. I went 5 days smoke free and then relapsed. I like the idea of getting rid of all ashtrays and such but my problem is that my fiance still smokes. He said that he is not ready quite yet to quit. He is very good about not smoking in front of me or anything but I still can smell it on him and see the ashtrays. How do I get past this?