Smokers who wish to kick the habit have a chance to do so with plenty of support on Thursday, with the 36th annual Great American Smokeout. Bill Blatt, director of tobacco programs for the American Lung Association, offers these tips to help smokers begin living a tobacco-free life.
Realize you don't have to quit alone. The lung association offers a nationwide quit line, 800-784-8669, that connects you with someone in your state and lets you talk with a live counselor.
Tell friends and family that you're trying to quit. "People understand that it's difficult; they'll give you a little leeway" if you're not quite yourself as you learn to live without cigarettes.
Know the difference between a slip and a relapse. A single slip doesn't mean you've relapsed into smoking. But to ensure that it doesn't go any further, "Treat a slip as an emergency. Get rid of your cigarettes, and see if you can figure out what happened. If you have a friend who has already quit smoking, call that person" for support and advice.
The Washington Post
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