People who use nicotine replacement therapy and attend support groups led by trained counselors are the most successful. Plan for times when you know you will have trouble, like when you're drinking coffee in the morning or taking a break at work. They are medications that replace some of the nicotine smokers are used to getting from cigarettes and help reduce the symptoms of withdrawal from nicotine. This allows people who are trying to quit to focus on changing their habits without experiencing cravings for cigarettes. You may wish to discuss the use of nicotine replacement therapy with your physician to make sure that you do not have any medical problems preventing its use.
Smoking is a leading risk factor for cancer, heart disease and respiratory illnesses.
Death rates from cancer are twice as high in smokers as in nonsmokers. One third of all cancers are caused by tobacco use. Smoking is hazardous for both smokers and those exposed to the 200 toxins in cigarette smoke. Approximately 60 substances found in tobacco smoke are known to cause cancer. Many of these substances have a higher concentration in second hand smoke than in the smoke directly inhaled from the cigarette.