Sample Email 12 - How do I Quit Smoking?

By Audrey Jung, CPC, DCC, NCC

I'm overwhelmed, and don't know where to begin. My doctor says that I need to quit smoking. Please help.

Dear F,

Congratulations on your decision to quit smoking! In addition to improving your health, you are about to save a ton of money, improve your sense of smell and taste, increase your stamina, and become a better role model for the children around you. As you know, quitting smoking is not an easy thing to do – but once you accomplish this task you will feel relieved of a tremendous burden, and feel a lot better about yourself in the process. People around you will begin to take notice, as your home, car and breath will be rid of that tobacco smell. What better reasons to keep motivated toward your goal!

There are a few things you can do to prepare for a lifetime of healthy breathing:

1. Set a date to quit smoking. Be reasonable. Take a look at your calendar, and make sure that you can devote at least 2 consecutive weeks without external stressors complicating things. In other words, if you are about to go on a business trip, consider setting your quit smoking date for the day after you return.
2. Gather your support system, and tell these people that you are going to quit smoking. This step cannot be stressed enough. Find three people that will help you do what it takes to stay tobacco-free. You will improve your chances of being successful if you involve others. If you feel that there is nobody around you who can be a positive influence, find a cessation support group in your community or online through our website. Try to make friends with other people who have stopped smoking – they know how hard it was for them, and may have some helpful tips for you.
3. Clean your house, your office and your car prior to your stop smoking date. Begin to throw away all of your tobacco-related products and equipment. No need to hold onto matchbooks, rolling papers, tobacco pouches, cigarette cartons lighters, filters, etc. for posterity, especially if they will trigger you to think about smoking. Begin to purchase your cigarettes daily so that you will have run out by your stop smoking date. It will take roughly 14 days to get the stench of cigarette smoke out of the fabric in your house and car, so start to air out these places now.
4. Speak with your doctor about changing your diet and exercise plan. Even simple changes like eating more fruit and walking around the block when you feel a craving will help you to stop smoking. Discuss the many medical options for tobacco cessation with your doctor prior to trying them yourself. Remember that Zyban, nicotine patches and nicotine gums are all more effective when coupled with group support and education. Hypnosis tapes, like the one we offer on our site, have been known to be effective as well.

I hope that this information will be helpful to you as you develop your plan for smoking cessation. I am here to assist you, if you'd like some more individual support.

Audrey B. Jung, CPC, DCC, NCC

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