Quit Smoking Advisory

A quit smoking checklist is a popular way to prepare to stop smoking.

Traditionally, most people use the willpower method to stop smoking. Because this will normally involve a very stressful period of irritability and cravings, as well as great mental strength, then it is best to be as prepared as possible to ensure the highest chances of success.

Nicotine replacement therapy is also a popular way of stopping smoking. The theory says that by switching to the gum or patches then this is much less stressful than quitting cold turkey. Also, by cutting down on NRT then eventually quitting the gum or patches is also supposed to be easier.

So a checklist is a kind of framework for good preparation before quitting smoking. What kinds of things are recommended to be on a good quit smoking checklist?

1. Choose and set a future quit date. This will allow you to prepare up until that date when you will be ready.

2. Make a list of reasons to quit. By having many different reasons to quit, this can help with your willpower and mental strength. Otherwise, you might forget why you have quit and decide to start smoking again.

3. Throw out the ashtrays and lighters. Some people just hide them but it is probably better to just throw them out so that you are not reminded anymore of cigarettes.

4. Write a letter entitled “goodbye to cigarettes”. Include in it all the reasons why you want to quit smoking and then put it in an envelope and seal it. Mark the envelope - “open in emergencies only” and then put it somewhere safe.

5. Go public. Tell all your friends that you have quit. You’ll get a great mental boost from the support and the smokers will know not to offer you any cigarettes.

6. Start exercising. Exercising is a great way to distract yourself from thinking about cigarettes. It will also help to clean up your body and some people say that it also reduces the cravings.

A quit smoking checklist can be a valuable way of stopping smoking for people using traditional methods like NRT and willpower alone. Like any goal, being prepared for it will increase your chances of success.

However, when I quit smoking I, personally, did not use a checklist of any kind - not even a mental one. This is because checklists are best used when using willpower methods - where a period of stress is expected and preparation is needed for that.

I have not smoked a cigarette for 8 years and I used a little-known and unique technique to stop smoking that does not require willpower at all and which leaves you with no cravings or desires for cigarettes. If you want to know more about this unique method to quitting smoking for good then click here.