How to avoid SEVEN common pitfalls of quitting

This is the time of year where smokers are looking for advice and help. Here are tips on how to avoid seven of the most common problems faced by quitters.

1. Realize that quitting can be easy

Smokers are told by everyone - tobacco companies, doctors, health departments, pharmaceutical companies, other smokers, even many ex-smokers and non-smokers - how hard it is to quit. We go into it expecting to find quitting difficult and that we'll ultimately fail anyway and let's face it; that can't be a good mindset. I do not deny that quitting can be difficult, but only if you go about it the wrong way. If you go about it the right way, you can make it a LOT easier on yourself.

There are many, many ex-smokers of every description who quit easily, and you can too. You might think that you're somehow a 'worse' case than other smokers, but don't you think that's what they thought too? You can do this. They did, and they are no better or worse than you.

2. Get informed

Believe it or not, it is extremely difficult to get good quality information on the quitting statistics of various quit smoking methods that enables you to compare methods head-to-head. Here are some basic statistics to start you off.

Of those who try to quit using pure willpower, research shows that approximately 95% relapse within a year, so for most people this is a lousy option. Use something to help; but what?

Nicotine replacement products have success rates of around 10%, and if used in conjunction with telephone counseling, can get up to 20%.

Other drugs have success rates of 10-30%, but again, this includes a telephone counseling element. These are powerful medications and they aren't for everyone. Some users report nasty side effects. Consult your doctor but, as mentioned below, make sure she is one who really does understand smoking and quitting - not all do by any means.

Research into 'alternative' methods including acupuncture, laser therapy, auricular therapy and herbal remedies show no increase in success over placebo, so my advice is to avoid them, along with the obvious internet scammers and spammers with their 95% 'success rates' and money-back guarantees. Avoid anything that has an affiliate program. No serious smoking cessation organization would sell via a network of amateur affiliates.

Research into hypnosis for quitting smoking states "We have not shown that hypnotherapy has a greater effect on six month quit rates than… no treatment" (Hypnotherapy for Smoking Cessation; Abbot, Stead et al, 2002). I was very surprised and disappointed to find this. I always felt that quitting smoking was a 'head game' and that hypnosis would help, but as my Mom used to say, "Facts is facts."

There are good, and even some great programs out there, but you have to look for them. If they don't quote a success rate that has been independently verified, preferably in a peer-reviewed medical journal, then I would keep my money in my pocket.

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