If you're thinking about quitting smoking or vaping, sometimes it helps to hear from people who have done it before. Here's what others say about the path to quitting.
It's never too late.
"I smoked for decades and barely escaped a heart attack. But with help from a nurse I made a quit plan. Now I'm grateful for how my health has improved – I've even taken up biking. I'd say it's never too late to quit, no matter how long or how much you've smoked."
Addressing stress matters.
"I used to vape to deal with stress. To really quit for good, I had to find healthier ways to cope. My advice is to plan ahead how to handle stess and negative emotions so you can stay in control."
Taking small steps builds confidence.
"I think it's important to set small goals. That's why I built my quit plan with 24-hour practice quits. Going a full 24-hours without smoking helped me learn what to expect. And it boosted my confidence too – I proved I could stop smoking. Then I wanted to do it again."
Try more than one tactic.
"Using NRT and getting help from a quit counsellor helped me stop smoking cigarettes. I even signed up for motivational texts from AlbertaQuits. Using several quit methods at the same time really worked for me."
Quit medicines make a difference.
"It was hard for me to quit smoking because nicotine is so addictive. I tried to quit many times. I finally stopped smoking with support from a pharmacist. They prescribed quit medications and helped me choose NRTs to cope with urges to smoke."
Remember that you're are not alone.
"When I quit smoking I told my family and friends what I was doing. I asked them to distract me when I got the urge for a cigarette. Reaching out was so helpful! If you don't have someone to talk to, I'd suggest calling the AlbertaQuits Helpline."
Find what motivates you.
"My drive to stay smoke-free dropped a few weeks after I quit, so I joined an online support group. Our facilitator gave us tips to stick with it, and everyone talked about the things they do to stay motivated. It helps to hear real tips for quit day and get ideas for staying smoke-free long term."
Stay positive.
"I tried to quit several times before I stopped. It was hard not to dwell on the times it didn't work. But the truth is, those experiences helped me learn what to do differently next time. Whether you last a day, a week, or a month without smoking or vaping – you'll get there. Just keep at it."
