Great American Smokeout Day
Great American Smokeout Day
Nathan Murray, PA-C
Marlow Family Care
The Great American Smokeout is an annual event sponsored by the American Cancer Society (ACS). Held on the third Thursday of November, people are challenged to stop smoking for at least 24 hours with the goal that their decision will last longer, hopefully forever.
As tobacco users can attest to, the urge to use tobacco is strong and very difficult to resist. But each time you can fight a desire, you are one step closer to quitting.
Here are a few ways to help resist the urges:
- Nicotine replacement therapy
These include over-the-counter nicotine patches and gums or prescription non-nicotine medications such as Zyban and Chantix.
- Avoid your triggers
What situations do you find yourself in where you tend to use tobacco? At a party? When you are stressed? Drinking your morning coffee? Learn to recognize these triggers and either avoid them or find an alternative to tobacco. (If you usually smoke while drinking coffee, munch on a healthy vegetable instead).
- Delay
If you feel the need to use tobacco, tell yourself that you need to wait ten more minutes or go where using tobacco isn’t allowed. This delay in use may help in the fight against the urge.
- Get up and move
When those urges hit, go for a run, walk up and down the stairs. Meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises are alternatives to tobacco use.
- Call a friend
Talking with a friend or support group can help to resist tobacco cravings. Call the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit www.okhelpline.com.
- Remember the benefits
- Feeling better and getting healthier
- Sparing your loved ones from secondhand smoke
- Saving money
Remember, trying something to resist tobacco cravings is better than doing nothing. Every time you resist a tobacco craving, you are one step closer to being tobacco-free.