Hi,

To quit smoking successfully, personal motivation and self encouragement is most important. The chances of you picking up a cigarette again are higher if you aren't motivated during the whole process.

Other tips to quit smoking are as follows:
1. Stop cigarette cold XXXXXXX one fine day. May that day be a special day.
2. Take up new work/hobby/other entertainment to keep you mind focused.
3. You may try nicotine supplements for a while. Nicotine supplements are available as gums in most chemist/pharmacy store. Nicorette is one such brand available in India.
4. Nicotine supplements are also available as skin patches, if you do not like gums. You may find it at special stores or may be online.
5. Another useful alternate is e-cigarette. You will get plain or nicotine filtered e-cigarette.
* All these alternatives are supplements to help you during the quitting phase. You can wean off these easily once you have stopped the cravings for cigarette.
6. Last alternatives are drugs. Vareniciline is a nicotine receptor agonist that are used in people who are unable to quit despite multiple efforts. You should ask your psychiatrist for this prescription if none of the aforementioned options are helpful.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you need clarification.

Regards

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Hi,

I'm pleased to know that you have made up your mind to keep away from smoking. My previous answer contained the different options to quit and I'm glad that you opted to keep it simple and free from quit smoking supports, I give to you seven different measures that you can apply:

1. As mentioned earlier keep yourself busy in some activities throughout the day. Adding extra hours at the office, practising your hobbies, inventing new hobby, adding new task to your daily chores will keep you busy and cigarette free thoughts.

2. Stop spending money on a pack of cigarette. Most people buy them from a same shop. If you have any such favourite shop or shops avoid visiting that place. Perhaps take a different route to work or home.

3. Avoid triggers that encourage you to smoke. Coffee/alcohol is the most common triggers that encourage men to smoke. It may be better to quit drinking coffee or alcohol for a while in order to stop smoking. Late night office parties, friends get together, pubs and some restaurants are some of the time, place and person that can remind you of cigarettes. Choose such occasions wisely.

4. If the cravings are intense switch to alternate options. Some options that can help are chewing a vegetable, a gum or may be a cool shower,practice deep breathing exercise, read a book / interesting novel, take a walk with any family member (you can try walking you dog in a garden) . If nothing helps at least go to sleep.

5. Avoid discussing about tobacco and smoking with you friends and close relatives.

6. Reward yourself for getting over each craving. Try awarding points to yourself, say 1 point for avoiding this evenings cigarette, 5 points for not smoking for a day, 10 points for one week without cigarette, 100 points for a month and so on. I'm sure as you reach close to 1000 points, you would have become successfully off smoking.

7. Lastly be prepared for any failures, disappointments, medical crisses or any untoward events. These depressive period can bring you back to smoke.
I shall leave this option of how you can be prepared for yourself.

Remember life without smoking is going to be very fresh and healthy. So start implementing your resolution right away. I'll be here to guide you.

Thanks once again. Write back for clarifications.

Good luck!!
Dr. Prasad

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