Ask The Expert
Kicking the Habit
There is no substitute for sheer willpower and determination says Debbie, an ex-smoker herself. But for some people giving up smoking really is an endless battle. So what are the options?
Hi Debbie,
I really need help giving up smoking but nothing seems to work. I've tried patches and gum and even started reading Alan Carr but it hasn't helped. I smoke about 10-20 a day which is a lot less than I used to but still bad and I just can't kick the habit.
Please help!
UKTV Style's Agony Aunt replies:
Hi there,
Giving up smoking has got to be one of the most agonising problems that people face. The smoking habit begins so easily and innocently, but most people end up regretting that they ever started, once they realise how hard it is to give up.
I'm afraid there is no easy solution here, there is no magic bullet. The only way to kick the habit is quite simply stop! I do realise this sounds ridiculous - but as an ex-smoker myself, I speak with a little experience and having given up now for many years, I know that there is no substitute for sheer willpower and determination.
There are various techniques designed to help you kick the habit such as acupuncture, nicotine patches, hypnosis, but I'm afraid the statistics don't make encouraging reading. Patches and gum score the best, with 30 - 40% of users having success in stopping. As for hypnosis, there is very little evidence that it works, in fact, being told to stop smoking by your doctor has a greater success rate with 2% of people managing to kick the habit because their GP tells them to! I do know people who've tried hypnosis, and have to say that it worked for one of them, but he was very determined to give up in the first place which could explain the success. Add to that the huge cost of hypnosis (approx £200 for a session) and I'd be tempted to pop down to your doctor's surgery for a serious talking to instead.
So what should you do? My advice is simple and cheap. Set yourself a target of not smoking for one month. Throw away your cigarettes, and during this time, avoid places where people smoke, avoid mixing with friends who smoke and 'trigger situations' (times when you always had a cigarette), such as after dinner, or with a cup of coffee. Instead go for a walk straight after dinner or do the washing up. Substitute herbal tea for coffee. Basically change your habits, so that you are not constantly reminded of cigarettes.
I really need help giving up smoking but nothing seems to work. I've tried patches and gum and even started reading Alan Carr but it hasn't helped. I smoke about 10-20 a day which is a lot less than I used to but still bad and I just can't kick the habit.
Please help!
UKTV Style's Agony Aunt replies:
Hi there,
Giving up smoking has got to be one of the most agonising problems that people face. The smoking habit begins so easily and innocently, but most people end up regretting that they ever started, once they realise how hard it is to give up.
I'm afraid there is no easy solution here, there is no magic bullet. The only way to kick the habit is quite simply stop! I do realise this sounds ridiculous - but as an ex-smoker myself, I speak with a little experience and having given up now for many years, I know that there is no substitute for sheer willpower and determination.
There are various techniques designed to help you kick the habit such as acupuncture, nicotine patches, hypnosis, but I'm afraid the statistics don't make encouraging reading. Patches and gum score the best, with 30 - 40% of users having success in stopping. As for hypnosis, there is very little evidence that it works, in fact, being told to stop smoking by your doctor has a greater success rate with 2% of people managing to kick the habit because their GP tells them to! I do know people who've tried hypnosis, and have to say that it worked for one of them, but he was very determined to give up in the first place which could explain the success. Add to that the huge cost of hypnosis (approx £200 for a session) and I'd be tempted to pop down to your doctor's surgery for a serious talking to instead.
So what should you do? My advice is simple and cheap. Set yourself a target of not smoking for one month. Throw away your cigarettes, and during this time, avoid places where people smoke, avoid mixing with friends who smoke and 'trigger situations' (times when you always had a cigarette), such as after dinner, or with a cup of coffee. Instead go for a walk straight after dinner or do the washing up. Substitute herbal tea for coffee. Basically change your habits, so that you are not constantly reminded of cigarettes.
Your Comments
- bookworm.72 wrote on 01 Jul 2005 at 03:11 PM
I had smoked for 19 years, stopping only while I was pregnant with my daughter, only to start again when she was 5 weeks old. Doh!
At the grand old age of 33 and suffering extremely high blood pressure I decided to sign up the smoking clinic at my local hospital. I was tired of standing on my doorstep frantically getting my fix before my daughter noticed what I was doing.I have never allowed her to be around cigarette smoke. It suddenly dawned on me that although i was taking her health seriously i had no regard for my own. And i wouldn't be much good to her when I was dead and gone because of a smoking related illness!
The week before I was due to start my course at the hospital one of the playground mums handed me a book ''Try this'' she said.
The book she gave me was ''Allen Carrs Easyway To Stop Smoking''. I had never heard of it but I started reading it as soon as I got home. It took me two days to read the book and i couldn't wait to get to the end so I could finally put out my last cigarette. It was a fantastic moment when it arrived. All i felt was elation and freedom!
That was over 2 months ago and I sometimes still have to pinch myself when i think that ''I'' that weak willed smoker has been a proud non smoker for 9 weeks. Being a smoker is a place I never want to be again.
To anybody who wants to stop..I urge you to read the book(I have passed it on to 2 friends since I read it, both of them stopped immediately too) If reading isn't your thing don't worry it is very easy to follow and not the least bit boring. Infact every page is a revalation.
Question to all smokers? How do you feel when the smoking adverts come on the tv? If you are anything like I was you will feel awful and change the channel until it has finished and then turn back. As non smoker I do not feel the urge to do that anymore.
I would like to wish every one who wants to stop good luck, and I hope if you read the book that you find it as easy as I did. - Something to say? Add a comment...
- See all posts
Our Programmes
In UKTV Style
Ask The Expert
| Get The Look
| Style Fashion Guides
| Six Of The Best
| Boutique Directory
| Body + Health
| Life
| Money
| Parenting
| Quizzes
| Fashion Fixer
| Organic Skincare
| Quit Smoking
| Clothes
| Shoes
| Lingerie
| Accessories
| Diet
| Health
| Love + Sex
| Parenting
| Parental Advice
|
