What are the most effective strategies to quit smoking?

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People who want to make a change are often more successful when they write their goals. Write down all the reasons why you want to quit smoking, like the money you will save or the stamina you will gain for playing sports. Keep that list where you can see it. Add new reasons as you think of them. Get support. People are more likely to succeed at quitting when friends and family help. If you do not want to tell your family that you smoke, ask friends to help you quit. Consider confiding in a counselor or other adult you trust. If finding people who support you is challenging, join an online or in-person support group.

Set a quit date. Pick a day that you will stop smoking. Put it on your calendar and tell friends and family that you will quit that day.

Throw away your cigarettes — all of them. People cannot stop smoking with cigarettes around to tempt them. So get rid of everything, including ashtrays, lighters, and even that pack you stashed away for emergencies.

Wash all your clothes. Remove the smell of cigarettes as much as possible by washing all your clothes and having your coats or sweaters dry-cleaned. If you smoked in your car, clean that out. Think about your triggers. You are probably aware of the times when you tend to smoke, such as after meals, when you are at your best friend's house while drinking coffee, or when you are driving. Any situation where it feels automatic to have a cigarette is a trigger. Once you have figured out your triggers, try these tips:

1. Break the link. If you smoke when you drive, get a ride to school, walk, or take the bus for a few weeks so, you can break the connection. If you usually smoke after meals, do something else after you eat, like walk or talk to a friend.
2. Change the place. If you and your friends usually eat takeout in the car so you can smoke, sit in the restaurant instead.
3. Substitute something else for cigarettes. It can be hard to get used to not holding something or not having a cigarette in your mouth. If you have this problem, stock up on carrot sticks, sugar-free gum, mints, toothpicks, or lollipops.

Withdrawal symptoms:

Cravings, restlessness, trouble concentrating or sleeping, irritability, anxiety, increases in appetite, and weight gain. Many people find withdrawal symptoms disappear completely after two to four weeks. These medicines do not contain nicotine and are not habit-forming. They work in a different way than nicotine patches, gums, sprays, or lozenges.

BUPROPION (Zyban): Bupropion is a pill that may cut down your craving for tobacco. Bupropion is also used for people with depression. It helps with quitting tobacco, even if you do not have problems with depression. It is not fully clear how bupropion helps with tobacco cravings and quitting tobacco. Bupropion should not be used for people who:

1. Under the age of 18.
2. Pregnancy.
3. Have a history of medical problems such as seizures, kidney failure, heavy alcohol use, eating disorders, bipolar or manic depressive illness, or a severe head injury.

How to take it:

Start bupropion one week before you plan to stop smoking. Your goal is to take it for seven to 12 weeks. Please talk with your doctor before taking it for a more extended period. For some people, taking it longer helps prevent resuming smoking, and this is considered safe to do if needed. The most common dose is a 150 mg tablet once a day, going up to twice per day after three days, with at least eight hours between each dose. Swallow the pill whole. Do not chew, split, or crush it. Doing so can cause side effects, including seizures. If you need help with cravings when first quitting, you may take bupropion along with nicotine patches, gums, or lozenges.

Side effects of this medicine may include:

1. Dry mouth.
2. Problems sleeping. Try taking the second dose in the afternoon if you have this problem (take it at least eight hours after the first dose).
3. Stop taking this medicine right away if you have changes in behavior. These include anger, agitation, depressed mood, thoughts of suicide, or attempted suicide.

Varenicline (Chantix):

Varenicline (Chantix) helps with the craving for nicotine and withdrawal symptoms. It works in the brain to reduce the physical effects of nicotine. This means that even if you start smoking again after quitting, you will not get as much pleasure from it when you are taking this drug.

How to take it:

Start taking this medicine one week before you plan to quit cigarettes. You can begin taking the drug and then choose a date within four weeks to leave. Another way is to start taking the medicine and then slowly stop smoking over the next 12 weeks. Take it after meals with a full glass of water. Your provider will tell you how to take this medicine. Most people take one 0.5 mg pill a day at first. By the end of the second week, you will likely be taking a 1 mg pill twice a day. Do not combine this drug with nicotine patches, gums, sprays, or lozenges. Children under age 18 should not take this drug. Most people tolerate Varenicline well. Side effects are not common but can include the following if they do occur:

1. Headaches, problems sleeping, sleepiness, and strange dreams.
2. Constipation, intestinal gas, nausea, and changes in taste.
3. Depressed mood, thoughts of suicide, and attempted suicide. Call your provider right away if you have any of these symptoms.

Other medicines:

The following medicines may help when other treatments have not worked. The benefits could be more consistent, so they are considered second-line treatment. Clonidine is normally used to treat high blood pressure. It may help when it is started before quitting. This drug comes as a pill or patch. Nortriptyline is another antidepressant. It is started 10 to 28 days before quitting.

I hope this information will help you.

Thanks.