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Frequently Asked Questions
Are you or is someone you
know trying to quit smoking? If so, the following information may help
you. It was taken from a brochure published by the U.S. Surgeon General.
Why should I quit?
You will live
longer and feel better. Quitting will lower your chances of having a heart
attack or stroke and of getting cancer. The people you live with,
especially children, will be healthier. If you are pregnant, you will
improve your chances of having a healthy baby. And, you will have extra
money to spend on things other than cigarettes.
What is the first thing
I need to do once I’ve decided to quit?
You should set
a quit date—the day when you will break free of your tobacco addiction.
Then, consider visiting your doctor or other health-care provider before
the quit date. He/she can help by providing practical advice and
information on quitting, and if necessary, recommend an appropriate
medication to help you quit.
What medication would
work best for me?
Different people do better with different methods. There are currently
five medications that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration: a non-nicotine pill (bupropion SR), nicotine gum, a
nicotine inhaler, a nicotine nasal spray or a nicotine patch. The gum and
patches are available at your local pharmacy, or you can ask your health
care provider to write you a prescription for one of the other
medications. The good news is that all five medications have been shown to
be effective in helping smokers who are motivated to quit.
Will I gain weight?
Many smokers
gain weight when they quit, but usually less than 10 pounds. Eat a healthy
diet, stay active and try not to let weight gain distract you from your
main goal–quitting smoking. Some of the medications to help you quit may
help delay weight gain.
Some of my friends
and family are smokers. What should I do when I’m with them?
Tell them you
are quitting, and ask them to assist you in this effort. Specifically,
ask them not to smoke or leave cigarettes around you.
What kinds of activities
can I do when I feel the urge to smoke?
Talk with
someone, go for a walk, drink water or get busy with a task. Reduce your
stress by taking a hot bath, exercising or reading a book.
How can I change my
daily routine, which includes smoking a cigarette with my meals?
Eat meals in a different place. Drink tea instead of coffee. Take a different route
to work.
I like to smoke when I
have a drink. Do I have to give up both?
It’s best to
avoid drinking alcohol for the first three months after quitting because
drinking lowers your chances of success. It helps to drink a lot of water
and other nonalcoholic drinks when you are trying to quit.
I’ve tried to quit
before and it didn’t work. What can I do?
Remember, most
people try to quit at least two or three times before they are successful.
Review your past attempts to quit. Think about what worked and what didn’t.
Try to use your most successful strategies again.
What should I do if I
need more help?
Get individual,
group or telephone counseling. The more counseling you get, the better
your chances of quitting for good. Programs are offered at many local
hospitals and health centers. Call your local health department for
information about programs in your area. Also, talk with your doctor or
other health-care provider. Ohio's Tobacco Quitline is free at
1-800-QUIT-NOW.
Additional Information:
Publications are provided by the U.S.
Surgeon General.
Last Updated:
07/11/2005
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