Smoking Cessation: 5 Best Ways to Quit Smoking

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Kicking the smoking habit is easier said than done.  According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, smoking is quite addictive due to the nicotine found in cigarettes. In fact, the CDC states that nicotine "may be as addictive" as more dangerous drugs like heroin or cocaine.  

The site also explains that people often revert back to smoking and may make several attempts before they can quit smoking long-term. Some of the reasons smokers might start smoking again after successfully stopping are stress, weight gain and withdrawal symptoms from lack of nicotine, reports the CDC.  

Smoking does not only affect smokers but the people surrounding them as well. Web MD states secondhand smoking causes asthma and breathing problems for people who are constantly around smokers. 

The health benefits for smokers if they quit are plenty, states the CDC site. The risk of lung disease, heart disease, stroke and vascular disease are lowered. 

In the list below are some of the best ways to quit smoking. 

#1: Visit the doctor 

Paying a visit to the doctor can clarify any questions about smoking and its effects on bodily health, specifically on the respiratory system and the heart, states the CDC. 

#2: Counseling  

Even though going to counseling sessions may seem a bit extreme, the CDC site still suggests it. Counseling sessions can be conducted in many different ways, so it is best to choose the most comfortable one. There are counseling sessions that are held individually, in a group, or even through the telephone. 

#3: Medication 

Some smokers have probably already tried these medications, but it must be noted that quitting smoking takes time and multiple attempts. The CDC recommends buying over-the-counter nicotine replacements like patches, or prescription inhalers and nasal sprays to help ease the body out of the habit. 

#4: Candy and Mantras 

Web MD suggests using an unconventional method to try quitting. According to the site, Susan Brannan, from New York used Vitamin C drops and the mantra "NOPE - Not One Puff Ever" to quit smoking. It took her a while to find just the right kind of candy to help with the smoking craving, but she eventually found the right one.  

#5: Get a new hobby 

Replacing smoking with an activity has helped some smokers quit, reports Web MD. Reeve McNamara, from Atlanta, replaced smoking with running. It was hard at first but now he can run 44 miles in a day.