Here are the 10 golden rules for quitting smoking:
- Make a firm commitment in writing, set a date to stop smoking in the next few days, and stick to it.
- Once you quit, do not touch a cigarette, not even one puff.
- Throw away all your tobacco, ashtrays, and lighters.
- Ask your family, friends, a doctor or a specialist clinic for help and support, or call a helpline.
- Follow a treatment programme: nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion, varenicline or cytisine, and use these medicines in conjunction with medical supervision.
- Or switch to another source of nicotine (e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches) or a tobacco product that is not burned (snus, heated tobacco).
- Avoid smokers and places where you used to smoke.
- If you have a strong urge to smoke, wait a few minutes—it will pass after 5 minutes—and take nicotine to relieve the urge (e.g., a patch or e-cigarette).
- Ask people to avoid smoking in your presence.
- Persevere, try again if you fail. You may need several attempts to succeed, but you will eventually get there.
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