What You Need To Do Before You Quit Smoking Cigarettes

There’s no way around it – quitting smoking can be a massive challenge. As any long-term smoker can tell you, it can take years to work up the motivation to finally leave cigarettes behind, and even then actually following through can be a major struggle. If you’ve decided that the time has come to quit, get these preparation steps down to make sure you’re ready to succeed.

  • Consider your options. Are you planning to go cold turkey, or will you use other nicotine replacement therapies or devices to make the process a little less stressful? If you’re planning to switch over to a VAPED device with the aim of tapering your nicotine intake down without losing the habitual hand-to-mouth action of smoking, make sure you have a device and e-liquids ready so you can make the switch on your quit date. You can also speak to your doctor about various medicines or cessation options so you’re able to make an informed decision.
  • Make a motivational list. After a few days (or hours) without a cigarette, you may start feeling like you’re not quite sure why you decided to quit after all. This is where it can be helpful to have a list of motivations that you’ve prepared ahead of time to help you through those rough cravings. Your motivations might include saving money, reducing your risk of various types of cancer, reducing second hand smoke in your surroundings and home, or just becoming fitter and healthier in general. Whatever they are, write them down in a big list so you can refer back to it when you’re feeling weak.
  • Know what to expect. If you do quit smoking cold turkey without any nicotine devices, you should know what to expect in terms of withdrawal symptoms so you can be prepared ahead of time. You might feel irritable or lower in mood than usual, have trouble sleeping, feel anxious or restless, or feel slightly ‘foggy’ and have trouble thinking as clearly as usual. These are all normal symptoms, so understanding why they’re occurring when they crop up can help you remind yourself that they’re temporary, and will soon pass.
  • Gather support around you. Letting your loved ones know that you’ve planned to quit and telling them the date that you’ve set to let the cigarettes go can be a huge help in making your goal a reality. Your loved ones can then support you, keep you on track, give you positive reinforcement as you progress on your journey, and check in with you to see how you’re feeling. You may even find a friend or family member who’s also been considering quitting and looking for someone to join them for the extra motivation.
  • Remove all reminders of cigarettes. If you have cigarette packaging, lighters, or even an odd cigarette floating around your handbag or bedroom, you’re going to be bombarded with temptations to give in to the craving and have a smoke. Throw all of these items away, along with any other items that remind you of smoking or trigger cravings in some way. Give your house a good clean to get rid of the residual tobacco smell and clean out your car so you feel like you’re truly embarking on a fresh vaping