I cut down my smoking to just a few cigarettes a day. That is almost as good as completely quitting, right?

Wrong! Tobacco contains over 4,000 chemicals. At least 50 of these can cause cancer. Another 250 are poisonous. Using any amount of tobacco is not safe, including smokeless tobacco.

I have heard stopping smoking is awful. Will I be grumpy and think constantly about smoking? How bad is it?

Though it takes some effort to stop smoking, you don’t have to feel miserable! Going to a stop smoking class and using medicines can make it easier and increase your chances for success. The Stop Smoking Medicines page lists approved medicines, how to use them and approximate costs. Look at the Resources page to find a stop smoking class or counselor near you.

I have smoked two packs of cigarettes a day for a long time. I know I am really addicted. Is it harder for people like me to quit?

Heavy smokers might need to use higher dosages of nicotine products (like the patch). Keep in mind though that getting over the psychological part of smoking is the same, whether you smoke ½ pack a day or 2 ½ packs a day. You have “built” smoking into every part of your life. It will take some time and effort to get used to being an ex-smoker.

Why should I use nicotine products? I am trying to get off nicotine, not stay on it!

It may sound strange, but using nicotine (from sources other than tobacco) helps ease withdrawal symptoms when you quit. When you feel comfortable (because you are not having withdrawal symptoms), you are better able to work on changing your behavior and habits that were linked to smoking.

I would like to stop smoking, but I cannot afford to buy any of the nicotine products, such as the patch. They are just too expensive!

If you average out the cost of the patches (or any of the stop smoking medicines) on a per-day basis, you would not spend much more than you would to smoke. Be willing to make this investment. They can help you conquer your nicotine addiction. Additionally, some community programs offer free products for a limited amount of time.

Why should I go to the expense and hassle of using stop smoking medications when I can just get hypnotized or get acupuncture and quit immediately?

Though these methods might help some smokers quit, there are few research studies showing they really work. And, you will not find out if they work for you until you have spent as much as $100 or more! Stick with the advice you receive through a stop smoking program about which methods to use. Find a stop smoking program that is linked to a trusted source, such as a hospital, medical clinic, health department or other health-related organization.

A friend of mine said that he still occasionally thinks about smoking and he has been quit for over 5 years! Will I crave cigarettes forever?

No, the longer one stays quit, the easier it becomes. Many ex-smokers from time to time think about how they would like to smoke just one cigarette. This is because the brain does not easily forget something as pleasurable as smoking. But, they quickly remind themselves that they are happy to be free from tobacco addiction, and they do not want to go back. Remember, having “only one cigarette” can lead to relapse.