Nicorette

Nicorette is a range of nicotine replacement products to help you stop smoking in easy stages using nicotine gum, microtabs, lozenges or inhalator.

Helpful tips on Giving Up:

You may have tried to stop smoking before and you know from bitter experience that it's not easy to give up cigarettes.

However, you have now taken the first constructive step towards becoming a non-smoker. In overcoming your tobacco dependence you will have to tackle two problems:

• Your smoking habit
• Your addiction to nicotine

Willpower: The overriding success factor in quitting is how determined you are. The first few weeks of quitting will probably be the most difficult because your smoking ritual is still fresh in your mind. However, you will find that as time goes by, your will power becomes stronger.

• Telling friends, family and work colleagues at you have quit smoking and that you envisage a tough time ahead will encourage them to support you.

Pick the right day: There is never a perfect time to give up smoking, but you should plan ahead by choosing a date in the not too distant future on which you are going to give up cigarettes completely. This is your Quit Day. Try to pick a day when you will not be too stressed.

Break your routine: For a number of years you will have become accustomed to smoking at certain times, with particular people or circumstances. Think about the times you will miss smoking the most and plan how you will cope on these occasions. Changing your routine will help you break the habit of smoking.

Quit with a friend: Quitting with a fellow smoker is a good idea. It will strengthen your resolve and build on your determination. Encourage a friend or family member to quit with you. It will give your morale a boost since there will be another person knowing exactly what you're feeling and with whom you can share your determination to quit smoking.

Remove any temptation: To help yourself succeed be sure to remove all cigarettes, matches, lighters etc. from the home, the car and at work. Ask your friends and colleagues not to offer you cigarettes or smoke close by you — but be careful not to offend them. Explain that you have given up. This type of support from friends is of greatest benefit for the first couple of weeks of quitting, as this is your most vulnerable time. The last thing you want is a cigarette close at hand in a moment of weakness.

Take one day at a time: When you reach your Quit Day, don't allow yourself to think that you're quitting for good. That will make it seem like a super human task. Just promise yourself "I won't have a cigarette today", and take it one day at a time. You'll be surprised how much that little thought helps.

Distract yourself: Whenever you feel the urge to smoke coming on, distract yourself by keeping active. Don't feel sorry for yourself. Get up and DO something. Do that job around the house or garden that you've been putting off, or take up a hobby. Remember that the craving only lasts a few minutes.

Learn to relax: Once you have stopped smoking, taking exercise regularly will not only help you get fitter but will encourage you to relax. Exercise has the ability to relieve stress and tension. Taken regularly it will benefit you physically and psychologically. If you haven't exercised for some time, take it slowly to begin with and increase the amount of time spent exercising over the course of a few weeks. Not only will exercising help you relax but also helps to keep your weight under control, which some people find a problem when quitting.

Think cash not ash: One of the really noticeable benefits of "stopping" is the extra cash that's suddenly available. To emphasise the point put the money into a pot marked "cash not ash" and watch it accumulate. But be sure to use the money to treat yourself. You deserve a REWARD for NOT smoking.

Dealing with relapses: You might find that in times of stress, reaching for a cigarette is the only thing that will help you through. There may also be certain situations — particularly social situations such as a party or in the pub — where temptation just gets the better of you, so you smoke one or two cigarettes. You might feel that your only option is to go back to smoking. Don't think of it as having failed, just think through the reasons why you wanted to quit in the first place and don't let those couple of cigarettes get the better of you. Refer back to your plan and start again. You can beat it!

If you don't succeed: Giving up is more difficult for some people than others. If you fail to stop first time, don't be disheartened. Try again at a later date — you CAN do it! Remember the most successful long term ex-smokers have usually had to try several times to stop smoking... if you don't succeed — quit quit again.

Further information on smoking

How To Stop Smoking : Nicotine Replacement Therapy