I have never been a smoker. Of the people I do know who smoke everyone of them has attempted to quit at least once. Many of them have attempted to quit several times.

Some of them have been successful in that endeavor most of them have not.  From what I understand, quitting smoking may be a more difficult habit to quit than alcohol addiction, cocaine addiction , or even an addiction to heroin.

Nothing like a little positive reinforcement huh?

There is good news for you if you are making the choice to put down the smokes in the new year. The Smoking Cessation Trust is here to help you. Not only do they offer some great tips for those wanting to quit but if you've been a smoker since before September 1, 1988 you're eligible for free programs, medications, and services to help you kick the habit.

Set a quit date, quitting is hard but if you set a date we find it makes it a lot easier. Tell your family and friends that you’re going to quit. There is support that you get from those who care about you.

Those are the words of Jim Pittman, a spokesman for The Smoking Cessation Trust. When he spoke to the Louisiana Radio Network he explained some of the other things you can do to quit. Pittman suggests removing ashtrays, lighters, and anything cigarette related from your home. He also suggests giving your home a good cleaning to remove the smell of cigarettes.

Stay away from triggers that might cause you to smoke again like stress, and boredom and nervousness and things like that.

Many smokers know their triggers and their automatics. An automatic is like a smoke with the first cup of coffee of the day or lighting up a smoke when you first get behind the wheel of your car.

It's not going to be easy but anything worth doing never is. You'll need to be patient with yourself and allow others to help you retrain your brain. If you really want to quit, you can. If you'd like to see if you qualify for many free services, counselling, and medications call The Smoking Cessation Trust at (855) 259-6346 or learn more online at smokefreeLA.org 

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