 |
 31/01/2012 Tobacco tax increase |
 |
 |
|
FAQ's
What’s the best way to stop smoking? What’s the best way to stop smoking? Many people quit smoking successfully with and without assistance. However, most people will quit several times, before they eventually quit for good. If you are thinking about stopping and feel like you may need some extra help, talk to professionals about what’s involved - e.g. Quitline, pharmacists or your GP. Find out whether one of the proven pharmaceutical treatments would be right for you - they could increase your chances of success. Perhaps get your friends and family involved so they can give you moral support. Then go for it, however you decide to quit!
See also: Quit SA Information Sheets on Nicotine Replacement Therapy and Champix Back to top Is it a good idea to cut down gradually before finally quitting? Some people prefer to cut down the number of cigarettes they smoke as a prelude to quitting. Some people simply cut out the less important cigarettes from their day or delay each cigarette as strategies to cut down. Other people use nicotine replacement therapy products such as nicotine patches, gum or lozenges to replace some of the nicotine they would normally get from cigarettes.
Back to top What is nicotine replacement therapy? Nicotine replacement therapy is the collective name for a range of products containing small amounts of nicotine that are designed to help people stop smoking These include nicotine gum, patches, inhaler and lozenges. They work by releasing nicotine slowly into the bloodstream and help to counter the cravings which smokers commonly experience when they stop smoking. Not having to deal with intense physical cravings for nicotine may give people the opportunity to deal with the habits and emotions that become strongly associated with smoking. Research shows that using these products can double the chance of successfully quitting compared to using willpower alone.
See our information sheet on Nicotine Replacement Therapy Nicotine Replacement Therapy Champix is a medication that works on the nicotine receptors in the brain. It's action reduces the cravings for nicotine and blocks the pleasurable effects of smoking. As with any drug, Champix has varied side-effects.
See our Informtion Sheet on Champix Champix
Will hypnotherapy and acupuncture help me to quit?
Some people find complementary treatments such as hypnotherapy and acupuncture helpful as an aid to quitting smoking. However, there is no clinical evidence of their effectiveness. If you decide to try these treatments check that the person offering the treatment is a registered practitioner and be wary of claims of high success rates. Even the very best treatment programmes rarely achieve success rates of more than 30% so anything above this should be treated with caution. Why do people put on weight when they stop smoking? When people smoke the nicotine from cigarettes releases a chemical called seratonin in your brain. Seratonin is an appetite suppressant, so when someone smokes they sometimes don't want to eat as much. Hence, when they stop smoking you may find that people crave certain foods - many people find that they want to eat more sweet foods. Also, within 2 days of stopping smoking the sense of taste and smell improves, so that is another reason food starts to taste better. Will I gain weight if I stop smoking? Not everyone gains weight when they stop smoking. Among people who do, the average weight gain is between 2-4kg. Roughly 10 percent of people who stop smoking gain a large amount of weight (>13kg). Being proactive in preventing wieght gain by eating healthy foods and increasing exercise is one strategy for those worried about gaining excess wieght. What can be done about putting on weight? It's important to remember that someone would have to gain a considerable amount of weight to offset the health benefits of quitting- about 30kgs!. But try to avoid overeating, high fat snacks like biscuits and cakes should be avoided, and snacking on fruit and vegetables encouraged instead. There is some evidence that quitters who use medications like Champix or nicotine replacement therapy products such as gum & patches can reduce weight gain, which may be something to bear in mind when thinking about stopping. Why do people cough more when they have stopped smoking? Firstly, this is good news! Coughing more means that the tiny, little hairs in the lungs (which are your body's cleaning system) haven't been killed off and are now starting to work again. They have come out of paralysis and are starting to clean lungs of the tar that has built up there while they have been smoking. This process shouldn't last too long. It is a sign of the body repairing itself so see it as a positive.
What health benefits can be expected from stopping smoking? In the short term, after 20 minutes the blood pressure and pulse return to normal, after 24 hours carbon monoxide is eliminated from the body, and after 48 hours there is no nicotine left in the body. Longer term, in 2-12 weeks circulation will improve and after 3-9 months coughs, wheezing and breathing improve as lung function increases. Stopping smoking reduces the risk of lung cancer, other cancers, heart attack, stroke and chronic lung disease. Some of my friends and family are smokers. What should I do when I'm with them? Tell them that you are quitting, ask them to respect your resolve to quit and ask for their support. Specifically, you could ask them not to smoke, offer or leave cigarettes around you. What kinds of activities can I do when I feel the urge to smoke? Talk with someone, go for a walk, drink water, or get busy with a task. Reduce your stress by taking a hot bath, exercising, or reading a book. How can I change my daily routine eg smoking a cigarette with breakfast? When you are quitting or planningto quit, think about how you might change your routines that are linked strongly to smoking. Perhaps try eating breakfast in a different place, drink tea instead of coffee. Take a different route to work. I like to smoke when I have a drink. Do I have to give up both? Some people choose to avoid drinking alcohol when quitting and in the early stages of maintaining their non-smoking identity because drinking can lower your resolve to quit or stay quit. Back to top |
 |