Stopping Smoking - Your Questions Answered

Dealing with the urge to smoke can be difficult. Strategies your pharmacist may suggest are:

Wait until the craving passes - you may find that the urge to smoke only lasts for about 5 minutes

Start doing an activity and keep busy until the urge goes

Think about something else e.g. concentrate on work or think about something positive

Do not try to justify having 'just one cigarette' - talk yourself out of it

How do I stop smoking without putting on weight?

It is a fact that some, but not all ex-smokers put on some weight. In most cases the amount of weight gained is relatively small. Here are some ways to avoid gaining weight:

• Eat regular, well-balanced meals
• Eat slowly and enjoy your meals - food will taste better now you have stopped smoking
• Drink a glass of water when you feel like snacking
• Increasing your daily activity and exercise helps to control weight
• stock up on low calorie snacks and drinks e.g. fresh fruit and vegetables.
• When you have a snack, ask yourself: Are you really hungry?

Click here to find you All About Health pharmacist can help you keep an eye on your weight while you're quitting

What should I do to relieve stress and tension?

Stress and tension are a part of everyday life and everyone handles them in different ways. Find your All About Healthpharmacist for ways to cope without reaching for a cigarette. In the meantime, consider exercise in the form of walking, cycling, swimming or dancing to help to ease stress and tension; and relax by meditating, doing yoga or even just talking things through with a friend.

But I like smoking?

Many people say that they smoke for pleasure and find it enjoyable. When stopping smoking, it is important to focus on the positive aspects of not smoking. It can help to make a list of the benefits of not smoking and look at these when you feel an urge to smoke. Here are some examples:

• You feel and smell fresher
• Your breath will be fresher
• food tastes better
• Your health will benefit almost immediately
• You don't want to age prematurely
• Your children will benefit from having a smoke-free parent
• You can treat yourself with the money that you are saving
• You won't have to waste time looking for places where you're allowed to smoke

For more information and your questions answered, speak to your local All About Health pharmacist.