Smoking is detrimental to everyone’s health, including those inhaling second-hand smoke. It can affect the health of the smoker in more than one ways, and one may develop nicotine dependency that makes it difficult to give up smoking. That said, it’s not entirely impossible. So, here are some effective tips for quitting smoking to lead a smoke-free, healthy life:

• Plan well ahead before quitting
  It is better to plan ahead for a date on which one plans to quit smoking. This can help them prepare well and find factors to keep the motivation intact. If one is worried about the withdrawal symptoms, they may want to fix a date on the weekend or during the upcoming holidays. This will help them smoothen into the new routine and make the change without hampering their work life.
• Identify the triggers
  This may require a bit of discipline and observation from an individual’s end. While going about their day, one can look out for anything that makes them want to smoke. Journaling the times when temptation sets in, how often one feels the urge to smoke, and the environment this happens in can help identify the triggers and avoid them in the future. It could be anything from certain situations or places to individuals. Once the triggers are identified, it will make it easier for a person to consciously avoid or eliminate them.
• Talk about the resolution to quit
  In many cases, the trigger for the urge to smoke are colleagues, friends, or family members who smoke. So, one can inform people they hang out with about their intention to quit, especially those who trigger the craving for a cigarette. This can help them to consciously avoid smoking in front of the individual or stop them from offering a cigarette when they do. One may also want to inform their loved ones and friends about their decision, irrespective of whether they smoke. They can be the support and encouragement one needs to stick to their decision.
• Remove cigarettes and other products from the home or office
  While this is an obvious tip for quitting smoking, it is also among the most important ones. There may be many external triggers that cannot be controlled, but the most important ones are the cigarettes and related products that can tempt an individual to smoke. Removing them from the home, office, car, and other places where one stores them can help. Additionally, one may want to wash or deep clean upholstery that may smell of these products at home or in the car.
• Tackle the withdrawal symptoms
  It is likely for smokers to face withdrawal symptoms, and speaking to a doctor or consulting a therapist may help address this. If one does not want to approach a doctor right away, they can also try various over-the-counter products like nicotine gum, patches, or lozenges that are easily available in pharmacies to overcome the withdrawal symptoms.