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Kicking the habit is the single most important thing you can do for your body. Your health and well-being improve very quickly after quitting. 200,000 Australians quit smoking each year and you can too! Why not try again for the New Year?

But I’ve tried before and failed!

That’s normal. Most ex-smokers have tried several times before finally quitting. You learn from every attempt and each time you try again you are more likely to succeed. So don’t be discouraged, keep trying!

But I’ll blow up like a balloon!

Not necessarily. The average weight gain is only 2-4 kg and 1 in 4 quitters actually lose weight or stay the same. You can reduce weight gain by following a low fat diet, avoiding nibbling and doing some extra exercise. If some weight gain does occur, accept it for the moment. Make quitting your main priority for now and resolve to lose the weight later.

Do nicotine patches help?

Nicotine patches make quitting a lot more comfortable for many smokers and greatly increase your chances of success. The skin patches help prevent cigarette cravings and withdrawal symptoms, such as irritability and restlessness. Nicotine patches are available over-the-counter and cost less than cigarettes for most smokers. Some smokers also find nicotine gum, lozenges or nasal spray helpful.

Tips for quitting

·       Set a quit date in the next week.

·       Stopping all at once or “cold turkey” works best.

·       Identify your smoking triggers and plan some coping strategies. Be especially careful with alcohol, coffee and mealtimes.

·       Nicotine patches may help if you are a heavier smoker.

·       Reward yourself using the money you save from not smoking - $2,500 per year on average!

·       See your doctor regularly for further advice and support.

·       If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again!

Disclaimer:

Please note this information was correct at time of printing.

For up to date information, speak to your doctor.

Source: Summer 1996 Edition | Page 2

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Quitting smoking may be easier than you think