Women's Health
Quit smoking

Benefits of Quitting

• Your breathing, circulation and physical functioning improve
• You lower your risk for stroke or other heart problems
• Your lungs begin to heal and your chance of lung disease declines
• Your sense of taste and smell improves
• You feel better as your body adjusts to being smoke-free
• You save money
• Your hair and clothes smell better

How to Quit

The biggest mistake a smoker can make when she tries to kick the habit is not preparing to quit.

Quitting smoking is a major change in your life. All changes are easier when you prepare. Would you have a wedding or trip without planning? Of course not. And you should not try to quit smoking without getting ready. Download a copy of the workbook "If You Smoke and Are Pregnant.." It can help you make a plan and stick to it, whether or not you are pregnant. (If the workbook downloads too slowly, try the plain text version.)

Quitting Smoking is one of the most important choices you can make in your life.

Nicotine dependence

test yourself (plain text version)

Are you curious about your level of nicotine dependence?
How dependent on nicotine is someone you care about that smokes?
Take the Fagerstrom Test* to find out.

Tips for Quitting

Make a plan to quit. Tell your family and friends about your desire to stop smoking. Ask them to be supportive and to help you. Pay attention to situations and your routines when you smoked. Prepare yourself to do something different. Try the STAR approach.

• Set a quit date
• Tell others
• Anticipate challenges
• Remove all tobacco products

If you decide to stop smoking gradually:

• cut down on the number of cigarettes you smoke
• inhale the smoke less often
• lengthen the time between cigarettes
  

Setting Your Quit Date

Once you decide to stop smoking, your first step is to set a Quit Day.

During the week of your Quit Day:

• Think about why you smoke
• List reasons why you want to quit
• Rate how much you want each cigarette from 1 to 5
• Don't smoke the ones you really don't want
• Buy your cigarettes one pack at a time
• Start to exercise on a regular basis
• Find a non-smoking friend to give you support
• Take slow deep breaths to relax
• Know which places, times, people or feelings make you want to smoke
• Think about what you will do when you want to smoke
• Break habits and change routines connected with your smoking
• Get rid of all your cigarettes, lighters, and ash trays
• Take it one day at a time
• Believe that you will succeed!

HALT - Avoid these smoking triggers

Make a plan so you don't smoke when you are:

• Hungry
• Angry
• Lonely
• Tired

Ways to Cope Without a Cigarette

1. Drink plenty of fluids. Have at least 8 glasses of water and fruit juices a day to help flush the nicotine from your body.
2. Eat regular meals. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and foods rich in protein are good choices. Limit foods with sugar or fat.
3. Relax. Give yourself a break during the day - especially when you have a strong urge to smoke.
4. Tell yourself that urges don't last. Each urge to smoke will pass in three to five minutes. Do something else while you wait it out. Get a drink of water, walk around the block or talk to a friend.
5. Think about what you will buy. Save the money you used to spend on cigarettes and doctor bills and buy something you want.
6. Remind yourself of all the things you hate about smoking.
7. Ask friends and family for help. Tell them you are quitting and let them know how they can help.
8. Praise yourself. Think how well you are doing each time you have an urge and don't smoke.
9. Notice healthy changes. After a few days your sense of taste and smell will improve. Breathing will be easier in a few weeks.
10. Speak up when you're angry or frustrated. Stick up for your rights or take a walk. Don't let your mood be an excuse to smoke.
11. Take it one day at a time.

Give yourself a pat on the back for trying. You'll feel proud when you have kicked the habit!

Talk to your doctor or nurse about your desire to quit smoking before you have a baby. They may have other ways to help you achieve your goal. Remember, most smokers try to quit several times before they quit for good. Don't give up!!!

Many resources are available to help smokers become non-smokers. Talk to friends or family members who have successfully quit smoking. Talk to your doctor, nurse or health care providers. Clinic staff at your county health department can provide counseling and link you to services.

Other Links

North Carolina

North Carolina Tobacco Use Quitline - 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669). Provide coaching sessions with a coach; tips and techniques to quit; quit plan, help you stay on track and send you print materials to support your efforts.
Hours: 8 AM - 12 PM (EST)

Quit Now North Carolina - Find support, quit help-lines, and materials to stop smoking now.

National

The Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids

TRU Campaign - Tobacco Reality Unfiltered

Smoke-free Families

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation - Program to help pregnant smokers quit smoking

National Quit Now

*Fagerstrom Test - Developed by Dr. Karl Fagerstrom, one of the world's leading authorities on the effects of smoking, the dependency quiz can help you determine how hard it will be for you to break the habit.

It takes about a minute to complete. Fagerstrom Test.

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Last updated: June 2012