TIPS TO GRADUALLY QUIT SMOKING

Dr. Fabrizio Facchini
Consultant Pulmonologist
We all know quitting cigarette smoking is not an easy task. Indeed cigarette smoking, and many other nicotine
products, including Iqos, e-cigarettes and vapers, are designed to be addictive. Nicotine is as addictive as cocaine!
Good new though, quitting cigarette is achievable and it is a relevant health target.
Success rate of quitting might seems doomily low, only about 6-8% of smoker quit every year, despite more of 60-70%
of smokers are willing to quit. Many are successful after few attempts to quit and seeking help increases significantly
your chances of success: you can improve your success rate from 7% attempting without support, to 14% with
over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapy, to 30-40% with combined psychological and pharmacological
support, which are provided at Valiant Clinic & Hospital by Dr Monica Mendes, Clinical Psychologist & Dr Fabrizio
Facchini, Consultant Pulmonologist.Here are few tips to gradually reach the point to be ready to quit:

1. Think how much quitting would be personally relevant to you

This can be a di erent reason for each of us, could be you are a ected by a disease which is smoke correlated or have health concerns in relation to
cardiovascular or respiratory damage caused by cigarette smoking; you might have children and want to be a good example and protect their health;
you might consider the impact of cigarette smoke on your aspect and aging; you might be concerned about the impact of smoking on capacity to
have children

2. Think about risks of continuing cigarette smoking

Acute respiratory risks, harm to pregnancy, impotence, infertility, Long-term cardio-vascular, respiratory and cancer risks, osteoporosis, reduced
mobility and increased disability in the long term; Second-hand smoke risks for the people you mostly care.

3. Identify potential benefits of stopping cigarette smoking:

Improved health; food will taste better, sense of smell will improve; feeling better about yourself; home, car, clothing, breath will smell better; setting
a good example for children and decreasing the likelihood that they will smoke; have healthier babies and children; performing better in physical
activities; improved appearance including reduced wrinkling/aging of skin and whiter teeth; saving money.

4. Identify barriers or impediments to quitting

Fear of withdrawal symptoms, failure, weight gain, lack of support, depression, enjoyment of tobacco, being around other tobacco users, limited
knowledge of e ective treatment options.

5. If you are not ready, rethink

Most people take time to be ready to stop and most make repeated quit attempts, seeking professional help might be the right thing to do.