Smokers have a way of not quitting cigarettes. Though it is a widely accepted fact that quitting smoking is not easy, many techniques can help you quit. The decision to quit smoking is a complete personal responsibility, and most smokers fear whether they can fulfill it or not. However, experts suggest that the idea to quit is itself an indication of a healthy life.
Though it is really hard for smokers to cope with nicotine withdrawal and recovery symptoms, there are ways to manage them too. However, smokers come up with a variety of excuses to continue smoking constantly.
Top 10 Excuses that People Give for Continued Smoking Habit
Some common excuses given by smokers to continue smoking are listed below:
- Smoking relaxes and reduces stress or tensions
- Better concentration and performance
- Cigarettes are better than other drugs
- Cannot resist the nicotine cravings
- Need some more time to build stronger will power
- Smoke only safe and natural or organic cigarettes
- Trying to lose some weight
- Don’t smoke so often
- Don’t know how to stop smoking
- Tried to stop but it doesn’t help
Studies claim that the subconscious mind controls our habits. Smoking makes people emotionally, physically and psychologically dependent on nicotine. In addition, psychological dependency is said to be higher than physical dependence on cigarettes. This implies that smokers need to constantly train and motivate their senses towards quitting smoking.
Smokers need to take on the responsibility of reordering their life just as they chose to destroy it by exercising their freedom to smoke. Excuses won’t bring them happiness or friends. So the answer for all smokers who think they are trying to quit smoking but cannot: try harder.
Why do People Smoke
People who smoke have a wide range of excuses to justify their addiction and enslavement to this habit.
Check out a few common reasons –
Smoking Calms Me Down
This is the most common excuse I have heard. Many people believe that smoking calms them down. On the contrary, Nicotine is a stimulant, and it has the opposite effect. Some people feel calmed down by smoking because it helps them overcome the withdrawal symptoms of nicotine when they do not smoke. Many people smoke when they are depressed or tense. Smoking creates an illusion of calm while it actually makes things worse.
I Really Enjoy Smoking
Some people claim that smoking gives them a ‘high’ or ‘kick’ and that’s what makes it an enjoyable activity. On the contrary, many people do not enjoy smoking at all when they smoke for the first time. A lot of people take up smoking as a sociable activity. They smoke after meals, while standing around and talking, or share it with friends. You tend to enjoy smoking the way you enjoy having coffee with friends or colleagues. You enjoy the social activity, not smoking itself.
I Smoke When I Feel Bored
When people do not know how to kill leisure time, they either eat junk or smoke. Here again, you smoke to distract your mind from boredom or leisure. Well, you have plenty of options to kill time: you can watch TV, call up a friend, surf the net, read a book, or sleep. Why smoke?
I Smoke to Keep Weight OFF
It is often noticed that chain smokers are skinny. This encourages obese people to take up smoking to keep weight off. They religiously smoke a cigarette after each meal as if it would help it digest faster or prevent fat absorption in the body. When you smoke, nicotine will help you suppress your appetite for a short while, but when your hunger goes beyond control, you will end up binging and eating twice as much as you should have eaten. So, on the contrary, smoking helps you gain weight.
Wake up, folks – Smoking is just an illusion. It fools you and silently destroys you.
The Truth Behind Common Smoking Excuses
Most excuses fall apart once you look at the facts. Here is a quick check against what health bodies say.
| Common Excuse | What the Facts Say |
|---|---|
| Smoking relaxes me | Nicotine is a stimulant. The calm you feel is only relief from withdrawal. (CDC) |
| I only smoke a little or socially | There is no safe level of smoking. Even light or social smoking raises heart and cancer risk. (CDC) |
| Natural or organic cigarettes are safer | They are not. They still give off tar and carbon monoxide that harm the body. (CDC) |
| Smoking keeps my weight down | Any effect is small and short. The health harms are far bigger. (CDC) |
| It is too late for me to quit | Quitting helps at any age, even after many years of smoking. (CDC) |
What Happens After You Quit Smoking
Your body starts repairing itself quickly once you stop. The gains grow over time.
| Time After Quitting | What Improves |
|---|---|
| 20 minutes | Heart rate and blood pressure drop |
| 12 hours | Carbon monoxide in the blood returns to normal |
| 2 weeks to 3 months | Circulation and lung function improve |
| 1 to 12 months | Less coughing and shortness of breath |
| 1 year | Heart disease risk drops to about half of a smoker’s |
| 5 years | Stroke risk keeps falling toward a non-smoker’s level |
| 10 years | Lung cancer risk is about half that of a smoker |
| 15 years | Heart disease risk is close to a non-smoker’s |
Quitting can add as much as 10 years to your life. (American Cancer Society, CDC)
Proven Ways to Quit Smoking
Willpower alone is hard. These methods raise your odds of success.
- Nicotine replacement like patches, gum or lozenges
- Prescription medicines such as varenicline or bupropion, on a doctor’s advice
- Counselling or a support group
- A free quitline for phone counselling
- Quit apps and text-message programs
- The best results come from mixing medication with counseling. (CDC)
Simple Tips to Handle Cravings
Cravings pass, often in a few minutes. These steps help you ride them out.
- Delay. Wait it out instead of acting on the urge.
- Drink water slowly.
- Do something else with your hands.
- Take a few deep breaths.
- Stay away from triggers like smoking breaks and alcohol.
- Tell friends and family so they can support you.
Slips can happen. A slip is not a failure. Many people quit for good after a few tries.
Where to Get Help in India
You do not have to do this alone. Free help is available.
- Call the National Tobacco Quitline at 1800-11-2356. It is free and offers counseling in Hindi, English and many regional languages. (WHO India)
- Talk to your doctor about a quit plan and medicines.
- Try a quit app to track your progress and stay motivated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is smoking so hard to quit?
Nicotine is addictive. It creates strong physical and mental dependence, so the brain keeps asking for more.
Does smoking really relieve stress?
No. Nicotine is a stimulant. The relief a smoker feels is only the easing of withdrawal, not real calm.
Are light or social cigarettes safe?
No. There is no safe level of smoking. Even a few cigarettes raise the risk of heart disease and cancer.
Will I gain weight if I quit smoking?
Some people gain a little at first. The health gains from quitting are far greater, and you can manage weight with diet and activity.
What is the best way to quit smoking?
For most people, mixing medication with counseling or a quitline works better than willpower alone.
Where can I get free help to quit in India?
Call the National Tobacco Quitline at 1800-11-2356, or speak with your doctor about a plan that fits you.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Benefits of Quitting
- American Cancer Society. Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking Over Time
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Quitlines and Other Cessation Support Resources
- World Health Organization India. When quitting equals winning (National Tobacco Quitline)
3 Comments
I have smoked a lot and the damage might be already done. Is there a need to stop it now? Anyways people could die of road accidents so what is bad of dieing with cancer. I am not going to live forever.
One of the other very common excuse given by people is that they use filters while smoking or they are careful only to smoke low tar cigarette. In any case smoking is harmful.
If I quit right now my career would get affected as I would not be able to concentrate on my work due to withdrawal symptoms