Smoking Cessation
THE PCCS “QUIT THE STICK” SMOKING CESSATION PLAN
 |
|
- Write down the reasons you want to quit
- Discuss the different smoking cessation medications with your PCCS physician
- Pick a quit date a few weeks in the future, write it on your calendar
- Tell your friends and coworkers. Not only do you need the support, you also need the accountability.
- Clean out areas that you normally smoke in and start smoking only outside
- Try to anticipate potential stressors ahead of time and come up with a plan to deal with them which does not include cigarettes
- Start to decrease the number of cigarettes you smoke per day but stick to your planned quit date even if you haven’t cut down much
- On the day you quit, get rid of all cigarettes and smoking related items; keep sugar free candy or gum or light snack (such as nuts) handy to keep away cravings
- Join a support group either in person or online (https://www.ffsonline.org) and ask for help when you think you want to give up
- Reward yourself with a special treat each week you remain smoke free. One way to do this is taking the money you would have spent on cigarettes and use it to reward yourself
- Avoid activities associated with smoking and friends who smoke
- Remember don’t give up, it will get easier and easier
