Why is difficult to quit smoking

Many people find they are unable to stop smoking on their own. Benowitz said nicotine patches, nicotine gum and smoking-withdrawal medications are all proven ways to increase a person's odds of quitting. Support groups and quit lines can also help. Gary A. Giovino, a nicotine researcher at the State University of New York at Buffalo, said as helpful as medication can be, people who really want to quit smoking also have to be willing to modify their lifestyle.

They need a plan," said Giovino, a professor and chair of his school's Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, who quit smoking 40 years ago.

Giovino said good nutrition may be an important factor in helping people quit. He hopes to launch a study that will look at whether there is a correlation between smokers' vitamin D levels and their ability to stop smoking. He said he'd also like to see researchers explore whether plant-based diets, B vitamins and hydration impact nicotine addiction. Giovino advises people to tap into the "mind-body connection" and try yoga and deep breathing techniques to help them quit.

It's also important for those who have decided to quit to prepare themselves for how difficult it will be, Giovino said. But the longer you're off cigarettes, the more your brain goes through the process of neural adaptation, the more you recover.

And eventually, the ride subsides. Make the year you go smokefree by understanding why quitting smoking is so difficult, and tacking those obstacles. At the American Lung Association, we believe there is a "three-link chain" of physical, social and mental components to smoking addiction. Smokers have a better chance of quitting and staying smokefree if they address all three parts of the chain:. In addition, the American Lung Association has collaborated with Pfizer to create Quitter's Circle , a new mobile app and social community designed to help smokers quit through educational, social and financial support.

Within a few clicks, smokers can start a quit team with friends and family, personalize a quit plan and track progress, find resources to connect with a healthcare provider and start a quit fund—all in the palm of their hand. Want updates on the latest lung health news, including COVID, research, inspiring stories and health information?

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Select your location to view local American Lung Association events and news near you. Our service is free and we are here to help you. The Science Behind Addiction. Try to anticipate these smoking triggers and develop ways to deal with them:. Quit smoking programs help smokers understand and cope with problems they have when trying to quit. The programs teach problem-solving and other coping skills. A quit smoking program can help you quit for good by:. Toggle navigation. Withdrawal One of the main reasons smokers keep smoking is nicotine.

Triggers When you smoke, certain activities, feelings, and people become linked to your smoking. Try to anticipate these smoking triggers and develop ways to deal with them: Go to places that don't allow smoking. Shops, movie theaters, and many restaurants are now smokefree. Spend more time with non-smokers. You won't want to smoke as badly if you are around people who don't smoke. Keep your hands busy. Play a game on your phone, eat a healthy snack, or squeeze a stress ball. Take a deep breath.

Remind yourself why you want to stop smoking. Think of people in your life who will be happier and healthier because you decided to quit. Consider Using a Quit Smoking Program Quit smoking programs help smokers understand and cope with problems they have when trying to quit. A quit smoking program can help you quit for good by: Helping you understand why you smoke.

Teaching you how to handle withdrawal and stress. Teaching you tips to help resist the urge to smoke. Get started using a quit program today: Try a text message program.