Trying to quit smoking is very tough, especially for those that have done it for many years. But even if it is difficult, there are some things you can do to help fight the urge to light up another cigarette. Our previous piece entitled “How to Achieve Consistency and Reach Your Fitness Goals” focused on qualities like patience, staying focused on progress, and the desire to make lifestyle changes as important variables. While the article pertained to fitness, the same principles can apply to stopping smoking. It’s not too late to quit smoking, and here are five alternatives to help you get there:
1. Nicotine patches
A study on the IJPSD website pointed to data that showed the regional variations of smoking in Canada with Nunavut being as high as 63%. To help communities in Nunavut quit smoking, people distributed nicotine replacement therapy in the form of nicotine patches. The patches are placed on a person’s upper chest, upper arm, or back to give doses of nicotine. At the end of the study, the project revealed that nicotine patches are an effective form of nicotine replacement in helping people quit smoking. So if it helped people in Nunavut with smoking cessation, it can help you too!
2. Nicotine pouches
According to a recent study, approximately 30% of adult American smokers have heard about nicotine pouches. While nicotine pouches only hit the U.S. market in 2016, more and more people are interested in trying them. In fact, Prilla has found that nicotine pouches are growing in popularity with 16.8% of smokers interested in trying out the novel product. Nicotine pouches are a form of nicotine replacement that come in tiny pouches placed under the upper lip. Once in place, they release nicotine to the user in a discreet way without anyone in the surrounding area aware of nicotine being used, thus avoiding any negative stigmas attached to smoking. Unlike most smoking alternatives, nicotine pouches are tobacco-free, making them an even healthier option.
3. Nicotine Lozenges
Nicotine lozenges look similar to little hard candies and have been used for years as nicotine replacement therapy. Users simply put one lozenge in the mouth and get a nicotine fix wherever they are without having to light up or smoke anything. Many people have chosen lozenges as they are small and easy to carry around, which makes them extremely convenient for those that want a nicotine fix while in public places.
4. Nicotine Gum
Nicotine gum is another form of nicotine replacement therapy that has been used for many years. Some find this product very effective because it gives users something to chew on, thus satisfying the oral fixation several smokers have. The gum comes in little packets which makes them convenient to carry around. The downside to this product is it can be tricky when trying to dispose of – it’s sticky and can get messy.
5. Vaping
A study on e-cigarettes published on Science Daily points out that they are beneficial in helping smokers quit the habit. The research states that when used daily, e-cigarettes, or vaping, can be effective as compared to not using any type of replacement at all. However, it is important to note that vaping still involves inhaling aerosol into the lungs, so the user would still be at risk of health issues associated with smoke inhalation.
Quitting smoking can be challenging, no matter how many times you’ve tried. Just remember, you can try again and it’s never too late to kick the habit once and for all. People all over the world are trying and succeeding, which means you can too! Hopefully, one of the methods stated above can help you achieve this goal.